the trees. Here we
could run much faster, and turning a corner, saw our horses trotting
quietly some distance ahead. The light showed brighter, and then as we
emerged from the trees we found that it came from the windows of a long
low building. As we stood, dazzled by the brightness, and
wonderstruck, a voice beside us made us turn in alarm. It was the
fairy, who we now remembered, had not been with us since early in the
evening.

"'"Do not be afraid," said she, "I could not rest until I had safely
protected my Wonderful Plant, so I have built this house around it and
enclosed the grounds with a high brick wall. There is a good stable at
the back and I have just shut your horses in for the rest of the night.
Come now and I will show you the house."

"'She took us in at the front door and showed us through the house. It
was magnificently finished and beautifully furnished, as you shall see
for yourself presently, and my wife and I declared that we had never
seen anything to equal it. When she had finished she said:

"'"I have a proposition to make. I cannot remain in this country. I
must go home at once, as I am needed. You have lost your home and all
you possessed. Will you not stay in this beautiful house and tend my
Wonderful Plant? It must be watered and carefully pruned each day in
order to keep it at its best, and someone must remain here to gather
the seeds as they ripen and hide them, lest at any time the Evil
Magician or his emissaries come and steal one. The plant they cannot
touch, and only myself can pluck the blossoms, but the seeds, which are
so precious, may be taken by anyone.

"'"This oasis is now a pleasant place surrounded by fine lawns and
planted with beautiful trees, and I will give you plenty of servants, a
cellar full of provisions which will never run out, a library full of
books, and all sorts of amusements. You will have everything but human
companionship. No stranger must ever enter these gates, for I must
guard against any possibility of having a seed stolen. What do you
say, will you accept my offer?"

"'We considered a few moments. Our friends and possessions were gone,
and we stood indeed alone in the world and quite destitute. The
thought of seeing no human being did not affect us, as we had each
other, so we very gratefully accepted the good fairy's offer, and when
she had given us a few more instructions and told us that she would
visit us twice a year she depart