The Little House
surprised to see that it now read five o’clock for closing-time. But she was unacquainted with the tricky ways of the fairies, and so did not see (as Maimie and Tony saw at once) that they had changed the hour because there was to be a ball to-night. She said there was only time now to walk to the top of the Hump and back, and as they trotted along with her she little guessed what was thrilling their little breasts. You see the chance had come of seeing a fairy ball. Never, Tony felt, could he hope for a better chance.
He had to feel this, for Maimie so plainly felt it for him. Her eager eyes asked the question, ‘Is it to-day?’ and he gasped and then nodded. Maimie slipped her hand into Tony’s, and hers was hot, but his was cold. She did a very kind thing; she took off her scarf and gave it to him. ‘In case you should feel cold,’ she whispered. Her face was aglow, but Tony’s was very gloomy.
As they turned on the top of the Hump he whispered to her, ‘I ’m afraid nurse would see me, so I shan’t be able to do it.’
Maimie admired him more than ever for being afraid of nothing but their ayah, when there were
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