Page:The book of Betty Barber (IA bookofbettybarbe00andr).pdf/25

 You shall not tear it up,”’ said Miss Crimson Lake.

That would have decided the question, and the Book of Betty Barber would have been torn in bits, but at that moment from the branches of the tree overhead came peal after peal of laughter.

The Major dropped the book and looked inquiringly at the others.

“Bother,” said Thirteen-fourteenths, “what do they want? They always make mischief, and do harm. I’m off, I can’t stand them. Come along, all of you.”

Thirteen-fourteenths bounded away, but none of the others followed him.

Lucy had taken a seat upon the book to protect it. Major C was smiling pleasantly at the three charming Fairies who were peeping through the branches and smiling back at him; and Miss Crimson Lake was too busy wondering who the new arrivals could be, to think of following Thirteen-fourteenths.

“Who are they?” she whispered to Lucy.

“How do you do, how do you do?” called one of the Fairies.

“Playing at Mulberry Bush?” called another.

“Let us join in the fun,” called the third. “We love fun.”

“Rather,” said the first.

“Now then, look out everybody,” called the second.

And the three Fairies tumbled out of the tree, one on the top of the other, knocking off Major C’s hat, and pulling Miss Crimson Lake’s pretty hair.

“Don’t,” said Miss Crimson Lake crossly.

“Now, my dear young lady,” said one of the Fairies, “don’t lose your temper, and don’t get annoyed with one of your best friends. We are the Holiday Fairies. I’m Christmas, you must know, and these are my sisters, Easter and Summer.”

The Three Fairies curtseyed prettily, one after the other.

“If it were not for us,” continued Christmas, “the children would not have much time for you.”

“But I don’t like my hair pulled,” said Miss Crimson Lake.

“Only fun, my dear,” said Summer.

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