ring."

"Go then," said Rusialka, "and bring your sisters to me."

So Christmas Rose and Ivy went away, and returned presently with
another little sister-flower, the Yellow Jasmine.

"Jasmine," said Rusialka, "you are slight and slender, and winsome! I
can see that your blossoms will bring a pang to tender hearts, for you
mean 'separation,' but of all the messengers of woe you are the
gentlest, sweet Jasmine."

Then the Michaelmas Daisy came forward too.

[Illustration: ROSE]

[Illustration: CHRYSANTHEMUM]

"And you, Daisy," added Rusialka, "you soften the bitter parting
with a fond farewell."

The Jasmine gave a sigh and curtsied.

"If I bring a sad message," she said, "my sister the Snowdrop is ever
close at hand--and her meaning is 'hope.'"

The Snowdrop came forward and curtsied to the fairy.

"I am the herald in all our flower pageants," she said. "And some call
me the 'Fair Maid of February.'"

Rusialka waved her crystal wand three times and said: "I can see a
walled-in garden in a distant land. A bell is ringing for vespers, and
all the nuns with downcast eyes hasten across a cloister to the chapel
door. The youngest of them all sees a bed of snowdrops lift their white
heads and she smiles, because they are an emblem of hope, and a symbol
of her life."

The Snowdrop curtsied, and stepped aside to make room for the Violet.

[Illustration: PERIWINKLE]

[Illustration: CARNATION]

She peeped out shyly from under a bunch of leaves and a sweet perfume
filled the air.

"Violets for faithfulness," she said, turning to the Yellow Jasmine, "I
comfort friends who are parted. What pictures do you see for me, Lady
Rusialka?"

Rusialka waved her crystal wand and said:

"Call up your bright sisters who bring both joy and hope, and stand
before me."

The Snowdrop turned to obey the fairy's command, and presently returned
holding the Hawthorn and the Poppy by the hands.

"I bring security and hope," the Hawthorn said, "and I protect the good
country people from harm, if they do but hang a spray of my blossoms
over their houses in May. For then the wicked fairies and elves who are
your enemies, White Ladies, as well as the enemies of men, can do no
harm."

[Illustration: WOOD ANEMONE]

[Illustration: WIND FLOWER]

"I, too," said Honeysuckle, "I, too, fight the wicked little sprites and
keep from harm the good milch cows and the beasts that feed and clothe
poor children in cold northern lands."