white dresses of thinnest muslin and coronets of white blossoms
had been prepared for the children, who, having bathed and refreshed
themselves, were led by Grim to their seats beside Lady Idleways and the
Motherkin, who listened with attention to Laura's account of her
journey.

Grim listened, too, chuckling with pleasure as he moved about, waiting
upon his mistress and her guests.

"Now, my dear Lady Idleways," said the Motherkin, "I can let Laura
return to you with great satisfaction, for I am quite sure she has been
much benefited by her visit to us. She came to me a spoiled, too much
indulged child; she goes back to you a sensible, intelligent being, with
a desire to be useful, and with sympathy for her fellow-creatures."

"But, my dear Motherkin," said Laura, with tears, "am I to go home and
never, never see you again, or Grim, or Kathie, or my dear little bear,
or have any more happy days in the woods?"

"Why, no, my dear Laura," said her mother, quickly. "You shall take
Kathie home with you, and your dear little bear, and all that you love;
and you shall see the Motherkin very often--as often as she will let you
come to the Forest of Pines; and we will spend all our days in the woods
if you wish, for I shall want you to go about with me among the
cottages, and see what we can do for the poor people in them; besides,
you forget that we are to find Kathie's father for her, and make her
home a happy one again."

"And after all, dear Laura, you need never suffer for want of my
company," said the Motherkin; "for though I asked your mother not to
reveal my name before you came to me, I have no wish to make it any
longer a secret. I am the fairy Industry. Be industrious, dear child,
and I am always at your service."

CHAPTER XI.

Nothing more beautiful could well have been imagined than the day Lady
Idleways, Laura, and Kathie started for Idleways Castle. Towards morning
there had been a shower, which freshened every leaf, and gave a
glittering touch to every flower. It was a joyous, glad day, when even
the birds seemed to be happier; and when Laura bade farewell to her kind
friends, sorry as she was to leave them, she could not be unhappy.

The Motherkin and Grim escorted them through their woods and beyond the
door in the rock where Laura had first seen the fairy. At this point
they exchanged good wishes and made their final adieux, the Motherkin
never venturing out of the confines of the Forest of