|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 26
"Thry, just," urged Bridget, "an' we'll sing 'Onward, Christian
Soldier' to hearten ye up."
Eight shrill voices piped out the tune; and Sandy, caught by its
martial spirit, before he knew it was limping a circle about the beds,
marking his trail with golden blossoms. Luckily for Ward C, the nurse
on duty during the dinner-hour was in the medical ward, with the door
closed. And when she came back to her listening post in the corridor
the last word had been sung, the last flower dropped, and Sandy was in
his cot again, stretching tired little legs under the covers.
Perhaps the geometrician, or the accurate-minded reader, will doubt
whether the primrose ring was made at all--seeing that the wall of Ward
C cut off nearly thirty degrees of it. But in the world of fancy
geometrical accuracy does not hold; and the only important thing is
believing that the ring has been made. I have known of a few who could
step inside the faery circle whenever they willed, and without a
visible primrose about; but for most of us the blossoms are needed to
make the enchantment.
This is one of the heritages that come to those who are lucky enough to
dwell much in the world of fancy. They can wish for things and possess
them, and enjoy them without actually grasping them with their two
hands and saying, "These are my personal belongings." Material things
are rather a nuisance, on the whole, for they have to be dusted and
kept in order, repatched or repainted; and if one wishes to carry them
about there are always the bother of packing and the danger of losing.
But these other possessions are different--they are with us wherever we
go and whenever we want them--to-day, to-morrow, or for eternity.
"If we had the wee red wishin'-cap," said Bridget, thoughtfully, "we'd
not have to be waitin' for what's likely to happen. We could just wish
ourselves into Tir-na-n'Og."
"What's that?" demanded Peter.
"Tis the place the faeries live in, an' 'tis in Irelan'. Sure, 'tis
easy gettin' the cap," continued Bridget, with conviction. "All ye
need do is to say afther me, 'I wish--I wish for the wee red cap,' an'
ye have it."
Bridget extended her hands, palms upward, and the others followed her
example; and together they whispered: "I wish--I wish for the wee red
cap."
Immediately Bridget's hands closed over a cubic inch of atmosphere, and
she cried, exultantly, "Hold on to it tight an' slip it on your head
quick--afore it gets from ye!"
Only seven pairs of hands obeyed--Michael protested.
"I have nothinks got," he said, disgustedly.
"Shut up!" And Bridget shook a menacing fist at him. "He's foolish
entirely. He thinks he hasn't anythin' foreby he can't see it. Now,
all together, 'We wish--'"
"Can we go 'thout any clothes?" interrupted Susan. "We'd feel awful
queer in nightshirts."
"Don't ye worry, darlin'. Like as not when we get there the queen
herself 'll open a monsthrous big chest where they keeps all the faery
clothes, an' let us choose anythin' at all we wants to wear."
"Pants?" queried Peter, eagerly.
"Sure, an' silk dresses an' straw hats wi' ribbon on them, an--"
"Will shoes in the chest be?" Pancho was very anxious; he had never
had a pair of shoes in all his six years.
Bridget beamed. "Not i' the chest; but I'll be tellin' ye how ye'll
come by them. When we get there we'll look about for a
blackthorn-bush--an' there--like as not--in undther it--will be a wee
man wi' a leather apron across his knee--the leprechaun, big as life!"
"What's him?"
"Faith I'm tellin' ye--'tis the faery cobbler. An' the minute he slaps
the tail of his eye on us he'll sing out: 'Hello, Pancho an' Sandy an'
Susan an' all o' yez. I've your boots finished, just.' An' wi' that
he'll fetch down the nine pairs an' hand them round."
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|