Page:Granny's Wonderful Chair 1857.pdf/97

foot kept the story to himself, and at last midsummer came. That evening was a feast among the shepherds. There were bonfires on the hills, and fun in the villages. But Fairyfoot sat alone beside his sheepfold, for the children of his village had refused to let him dance with them about the bonfire, and he had gone there to bewail the size of his feet, which came between him and so many good things. Fairyfoot had never felt so lonely in all his life, and remembering the little man, he plucked up spirit, and cried—

“‘Ho! Robin Goodfellow!’

“‘Here I am,’ said a shrill voice at his elbow; and there stood the little man himself.

“‘I am very lonely, and no one will play with me, because my feet are not large enough,’ said Fairyfoot.

“‘Come, then, and play with us,’ said the little man. ‘We lead the merriest lives in the world, and care for nobody’s feet; but all companies have their own manners, and there are two things you must mind among us: first, do as you see the rest doing; and secondly, never speak of anything you may hear or see, for we and the people of this country have had no friendship ever since large feet came in fashion.’

“‘I will do that, and anything more you like,