Gahoppigas Express, Miss, with no message," they explained. And
when Sara opened it she found that it was full of butterfly money--the
loveliest pieces of gold and silver that the frittilaries and papilios
had collected from their own wings. Just inside the lid was a lily
leaf bearing the inscription,

"For Sara, from a grateful Nation,
Because she is older than the Snoodle."

Sara distributed handfuls of the beautiful little coins among them and
again they cheered her for her generosity. Sara felt that she really
did not deserve the cheering, however, as she seemed to have as many
as ever--even after she had filled Mrs. Snimmy's apron and a shoe
apiece for each Gunkus.

When the excitement over the money had subsided a little, Pirlaps
announced; "The Banquet is now ready!" and again offering Sara his arm,
he led her at the head of another procession three times around the
fountain; and the third time, as before, there beside the cake was the
banquet table--all spread and loaded down and glittering. Of course it
was quite a long table, with a good many covers; there had to be one
for each of Avrillia's children and for every one of the Gunki. The
covers were very thin (being made of cobweb, of course) still, having
so many, spread one on top of the other, made the table quite high, so
that there were step-ladders instead of chairs. As there was a
step-ladder for each guest, and as they were made of gold and silver,
arranged alternately, the effect was very unique and elaborate.

Sara, being the guest of honor, was assigned the most inconspicuous
place, three step-ladders south of the centre. When they were seated,
and Sara's mouth was fairly watering at the sight of all the fairy
delicacies the table displayed, Pirlaps, as master of ceremonies, rose
and said, "You understand, Sara, that, on occasions like this, the
guest of honor eats nothing but Toast."

Now, just imagine how disappointed Sara was! She really was having a
hard time to wink back the tears, when Avrillia, who often understood
more than the others, leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Wait till
you taste it, Sara!"

Avrillia's eyes sparkled so that Sara was quite reassured; besides,
she suddenly remembered the butterfly butter, and how her distress had
been turned into rapture on that occasion. And when Avrillia added,
"Besides, you have Birdsong wine with it!" she felt as happy as ever,
and quite confident th