Page:Rewards and Fairies (Kipling, 1910).djvu/58

36 laughed. 'But I forget. It is your Kingdom. I knew a maid once that had a larger one than this to defend, and so long as her men kept the fences stopped, she asked 'em no questions either.'

'Was she trying to grow flowers?' said Una. 'No, trees - perdurable trees. Her flowers all withered.' The lady leaned her head on her hand.

'They do if you don't look after them. We've got a few. Would you like to see ? I'll fetch you some.' Una ran off to the rank grass in the shade behind the wigwam, and came back with a handful of pink flowers. 'Aren't they pretty ?' she said. 'They're Virginia stock.'

'Virginia?' said the lady, and lifted them to the fringe of her mask. 'Yes. They come from Virginia. Did your maid ever plant any?' 'Not herself—but her men adventured all over the earth to pluck or to plant flowers for her crown. They judged her worthy of them.' 'And was she?' said Dan cheerfully.

'Quien sabe (who knows?) But at least, while her men toiled abroad she toiled in England, that they might find a safe home to come back to.'

'And what was she called?'

'Gloriana—Belphœbe—Elizabeth of England.' Her voice changed at each word. 'You mean Queen Bess?' The lady bowed her head a little toward Dan.

'You name her lightly enough, young Burleigh. What might you know of her?' said she.