l's sake," she said. "Look up, my
darlings, and show the friend how rosy your little faces are growing;
you need not be afraid now."

But the buds leaned closer to their mother, and would only peep at
Thistle, for they remembered the little sister whom he had killed, and
they feared him.

"Ah," he sadly thought, "if I had only been kind like Lily, they would
all love and trust me, and be glad to help me. How beautiful goodness
is! I must try to prove to them that I _am_ sorry; then they will
believe me, and show me how to find the crown."

So, at night when the flowers were asleep, he watered them; sung
lullabies to the restless young birds, and tucked the butterflies up
under the leaves where no dew could spoil their lovely wings. He rocked
the baby-buds to sleep when they grew impatient before it was time to
blossom; he kept grubs from harming the delicate leaves of the flowers,
and brought cool winds to refresh them when the sun was hot.

The rose was always good to him, and when the other plants wondered who
did so many kind things, she said to them,--

"It is Thistle, and he is so changed I am sure we may trust him. He
hides by day for no one is friendly, but by night he works or sits
alone, and sobs and sighs so sadly I cannot sleep for pity."

Then they all answered, "We will love and help him for Lilybell's sake."

So they called him to come and be friends, and he was very happy to be
forgiven. But he did not forget his task, and when he told them what it
was, they called Downy-back, the mole, and bid him show Thistle where
the earth elves lived. Thanking the kind flowers, Thistle followed the
mole deep into the ground, along the road he knew so well, till they saw
a light before them.

"There they are; now you can go on alone, and good luck to you," said
Downy-back, as he scampered away,--for he liked the dark best.

Thistle came to a great hall made of jewels that shone like the sun, and
here many spirits were dancing like fireflies to the music of silver
bells.

One of these came and asked why he was there, and when he told her,
Sparkle said, "You must work for us if you want to earn the golden
wand."

"What must I do?" asked Thistle.

"Many things," answered Sparkle; "some of us watch over the roots of the
flowers and keep them warm and safe; others gather drops and make
springs that gush up among the rocks, where people drink the fresh water
and are glad; others dig for jewels, make good-luck