The sky, in the meantime, was covered with clouds, a gentle wind came up, and small flakes began to fall from the darkened sky. On the plain far away, Tom saw a reddish leaf and noticed how it was running, as if blown by the wind straight towards them. It seemed strange to him. The Hamster became confused, as he looked around; he looked once more, then doubled with fright into the snow, whispering, The Queen!
The leaf came nearer; but it proved to be not a leaf at all, but a beautiful sledge drawn by four black crickets. On the box, sat a speckled coachman and, beside him, the footmen--centipedes, while, behind, nestled a most beautiful lady, all wrapped up in the green and black fur of a b.u.t.terfly caterpillar. The little bells were ringing on the horses and the coachman snapped his whip as they approached the Hamster.
The lady, leaning out of the sledge and shaking her finger at Little Tom, said, You wanderer. Where are you going now? For a long time I have been looking for you. Everyone is expecting you and here you are, running around with such an underground monster. Come at once and sit down. You will go with me.
The Hamster buried himself still deeper in the snow, but Tom bowed and said, Dear Queen, the Hamster is my good friend. He helped me to take care of my beloved Chrysomela. I can not go where he may not, for I will not be untrue to him.
The Queen smiled at the Hamster. Look at this. Sometimes, even the Hamsters have good hearts. But now don"t trouble about him. Hamster, go to your den, and when the time comes, speak and we will open to you.
Tom said good-by to the Hamster, took his seat in the sledge, the Queen wrapped him up in her fur cloak, and soon they were flying and disappearing through the whirling flakes into the realm of Queen Fairy.
[Ill.u.s.tration]