Evaleen Stein

“ Neither do I know why Irish folks declare that on Midsummer Day, which is the twenty-fourth of June, the fairies—or "little people," as they like to call them—will creep out from under the fields and hills, where they have beautiful palaces, and play around above ground, where they may do one a good or ill turn, according to whether they are pleased or not. ”

“ But most of the waiting-maids only stared in surprise, though some tittered a bit till frowned on by the grand lady. Then one of them, again bowing, said, "Will Your Highness have on another gown before time for lessons? The masters will soon be here."
Biddy, turning red and feeling very uncomfortable, faltered out, "Yes, mam. Bedad, and it's sorry I am to be a-spoiling of this!" And she looked down shame-facedly at the purple velvet all dripping with milk and porridge. ”

“ She wishes to play ball and tag." And Biddy's cheeks burned, the way she said it.
She followed meekly as the waiting-maids led the way down a winding stair—which made her quite dizzy, as she had never before been on stairs—and out into a large garden. There were fountains in it, and very fine flowers; but the flowers were all in straight stiff beds and did not look as if meant to be picked. As Biddy gazed at them, she could not but think she liked the meadow ones better. Then nobody but herself knew how to play tag, and the waiting-maids looked very scornful when she tried to show them ”

“ John's-wort, and meadow-rue—that's the five; and it's a sprig of honeysuckle I'll be putting in for the nice smell of it, and 'tis sure I am the little people will like it, too, even if it's not magical! ”