138 FOREST FANCIES 



with them and play even ^^Ring-around-a- 

 rosy." 



As the song of the dancers died away, a 

 nymph came running up: ^^The queen says, 

 'Bring hither the young man with the 

 hatchet.' '' 



They led him, laughing, through the wood- 

 land way, to what ordinary eyes would call a 

 pile of slash, but which he perceived to be a 

 rustic throne, made from the loving arms of 

 the old oak tree, mantled with moss and ivy, 

 and holding her who had been chosen queen of 

 the wood-nymphs because she had saved the 

 forest. 



As the forester approached, the queen, see- 

 ing the hatchet, frowned. Thrice he bowed, 

 and thrice he kissed her hand before she 

 spoke. 



''What have you to say, woodchopper?" 



**But, Madam, that is not my name." 



* * A lumberman, then ? ' ' 



''Not so.'' 



"Then, friend, what is your name ?" 



Friend,' that is right: I am a forester." 



(( (- 



