Page:The book of Betty Barber (IA bookofbettybarbe00andr).pdf/101

 “If you won’t give it to me, I shall have to go without it,” he said at last. “I must go.”

Minora jumped up, and, by a clever catch, seized the box and threw it to the Fraction.

“Such a fuss about a box of ointment!” said Christmas, as Thirteen-fourteenths ran off with it, bounding through the wood trying to overtake Repeater, whose voice could still be heard in the far distance, shouting, “Thirteen-fourteenths is coming, coming at once.”

“Was it ointment?” said Minora. “We were wondering what it was, it certainly didn’t taste very good.”

The holiday fairies began to laugh.

“Taste very good!” laughed Christmas, and then the three sisters joined hands, and dancing round shouted in chorus:

The others could not help laughing, and even Crimson Lake laughed, too.

But when the fairies stopped singing, and threw themselves down to rest, Major C looked very serious.

“Come, Minora,” he said, “we must play no longer, we must get to work. 1 am off to find Queen Harmony.”

“Good-bye,” shouted Christmas, suddenly picking herself up. Easter and Summer followed her through the wood.

“They are flighty things,” said Minora.

“But what will you do?’ said Half-term, who was bending over Crimson Lake.

“I shall be all right,” said Crimson Lake, “I feel much better. I will go back to Paint Land to cheer them, to tell them not to despair, that help is coming. Do not wait for me, I go slowly, and thank you, thank you.” And as she watched Half-term, and Minora hurrying away she said to herself, “And to think I ever called him a rude fellow!”

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