Page:The House Without Windows.djvu/111

 toward the lovely oak-tree, watching the sunlight playing on the emerald leaves. She caught a glimpse of Eepersip as she vanished around the trunk.

"Oh, Mother," she called softly. "I saw a nymph! She smiled at me, and went away."

"Hush, child," said Mrs. Eigleen, coming upstairs and stroking gently the silky black hair. "You were only dreaming."

"No, Mother," returned the child, "I was awake. I saw a nymph, really."

Mrs. Eigleen only smiled.

And then Fleuriss saw the flowers. "O Mother," she cried, " did you bring those to me?" Mrs. Eigleen was wonderstruck.

"Why, no!" she answered.

"Maybe that nymph left them here."

Mrs. Eigleen was astounded enough not to contradict her. "Perhaps," she said.

Eepersip descended again and ran off to her safe hiding-place in the lilac-bush. "She is so, so lovely!" she thought. "I want her more and more."

In a short time little Fleuriss appeared with Mrs. Eigleen. "Fleuriss," said her mother, "you may play here in the garden, but don't go outside it, and don't climb the trees."