78 FOREST FANCIES 



leaves. Under the leaves grew long apple- 

 green bracts and from the center of each feath- 

 er-shaped bract hung a spray of little round 

 buds, swelling in the softening air, growing 

 larger and fairer day by day. But on the 

 twenty-third of May, in the year 1707, long 

 before these buds were ready to burst into pale 

 blossoms, the wind brought the old linden-tree 

 word from Rashult that a new flower had 

 bloomed and lay on the breast of Christina. 



The child was named Carl. His father 

 decked his cradle with flowers, his mother 

 would quiet him with a blossom. 



By-and-by the family, and the family flow- 

 ers, all moved to the beautiful parish of Stren- 

 brohult, and in the new garden little Carl 

 learned to walk. Soon he was talking to 

 the flowers : Did not they, too, have their faces 

 washed? The dew did it, and the sun dried 

 them and kissed them and told them to be 

 good. He was called Carl; they also had 

 names. They were always dressed the same, 

 but did they think he was another little boy 

 every time he wore a different dress ? If he had 



