for we have a long way to go, and have lost much time."

The elf at this request began his queer capers again, but finding the
long queue very much in his way, stopped short, and asked Laura why she
could not stay awhile in the woods with him, and said that he would get
her more honey, and find her the prettiest red cup-moss and maidenhair
ferns she had ever seen. Laura declined very resolutely, saying that the
Motherkin and Grim had charged her not to delay.

Then the elf made hideous faces, and blew a shrill whistle through his
fingers, whereat a swarm of mosquitoes buzzed around the children most
uncomfortably.

"Really, Mr. Elf," said Laura, brandishing her handkerchief wildly about
to keep off the stinging insects, "I thought you were more of a
gentleman than this. A Chinese mandarin would not vex us in this way.
I have a pretty turquoise ring on my hand, which, if my staff were here,
I might give you-- But, oh! oh! how these things do bite! Come, Kathie,
let us run," she added; and, seizing Kathie's hand, she started off.

"Hey! not so fast. Here is your staff. The ring! the ring! where is it?"
called the elf.

"I cannot stay in that swarm of mosquitoes," replied Laura, still
running; but the elf was quicker than she, and, leaping before her,
threw her staff across her path. "Here is the ring," replied Laura; "and
next time you meet any children, I hope you will be kinder to them than
you have been to us."

"Oh, you are too stupid to have any fun. Just a little joke like that
was nothing at all."

[Illustration: "THEY BATHED THEIR SWOLLEN AND DISFIGURED FACES."]

Laura made no answer, but, seizing her staff, she and Kathie hurried
into the woods in search of a brook where they could bathe their swollen
and disfigured faces. When they began their walk again, nothing was seen
of the elf.

"I do hope we shall now have no more to hinder us, Kathie. See, I have
tied my stick to my wrist."

"And we had better keep very quiet the rest of the way; for if we talk,
the elves may hear us, and contrive something new to stop us."

"Quite right, Kathie. We'll play we are hunters in search of game, and
not speak a word."

So on they went till again the twilight made it necessary for them to
seek a place of repose for the night. An overhanging rock surrounded by
low bushes seemed an inviting spot, especially as the staff did not
withhold them from it. Kathie, more learned in woodland ways than Laura,
broke down br