a child's face. And then looking closer saw that it
wasn't a child. And then wasn't quite sure what it was; so that coming
to a sudden halt in front of it, Cousin Christopher stared at it with
round wide eyes, and then at Flight Commander Raffleton.

It was to Malvina that Flight Commander Raffleton addressed himself.

"This," he said, "is Professor Littlecherry, my Cousin Christopher,
about whom I told you."

It was obvious that Malvina regarded the Professor as a person of
importance. Evidently her intention was to curtsy, an operation that,
hampered by those trailing yards of clinging khaki, might prove--so it
flashed upon the Professor--not only difficult but dangerous.

"Allow me," said the Professor.

His idea was to help Malvina out of Commander Raffleton's coat, and
Malvina was preparing to assist him. Commander Raffleton was only just
in time.

"I don't think," said Commander Raffleton. "If you don't mind I think
we'd better leave that for Mrs. Muldoon."

The Professor let go the coat. Malvina appeared a shade disappointed.
One opines that not unreasonably she may have thought to make a better
impression without it. But a smiling acquiescence in all arrangements
made for her welfare seems to have been one of her charms.

"Perhaps," suggested Commander Raffleton to Malvina while refastening a
few of the more important buttons, "if you wouldn't mind explaining
yourself to my Cousin Christopher just exactly who and what you
are--you'd do it so much better than I should." (What Commander
Raffleton was saying to himself was: "If I tell the dear old Johnny,
he'll think I'm pulling his leg. It will sound altogether different
the way she will put it.") "You're sure you don't mind?"

Malvina hadn't the slightest objection. She accomplished her
curtsy--or rather it looked as if the coat were curtsying--quite
gracefully, and with a dignity one would not have expected from it.

"I am the fairy Malvina," she explained to the Professor. "You may
have heard of me. I was the favourite of Harbundia, Queen of the White
Ladies of Brittany. But that was long ago."

The friendly magician was staring at her with a pair of round eyes that
in spite of their amazement looked kindly and understanding. They
probably encouraged Malvina to complete the confession of her sad brief
history.

"It was when King Heremon ruled over Ireland," she continued. "I did a
very foolish and a wicked thing, and was punished