"
"I wish we had a slipper," whimpered a little voice.
At that moment there popped down amongst them, as if it had been thrown
from some high tree, a high-heeled silver slipper, studded with rubies
and emeralds.
"Oh!" screamed all of them, starting back and forming a circle around
it, "where did that come from?"
"Isn't it a beauty!" said one.
"How it sparkles!" said another.
"Why don't you pick it up?" said Edmund, nudging the little Teresa, who
stood next to him.
"I'm afraid," said she. "It's alive, isn't it?"
"No; it won't hurt you," replied he. "Pick it up."
Half afraid, Teresa crept cautiously forward, and, stooping down,
reached out her hand to take up the treasure; but before she could touch
it, it bounded up with such a spring as caused her to scream and run
hastily back.
Then it jumped over Amanda's head, just tapped her on the shoulder, as
much as to say, "Come, catch me," and was lying some dozen yards off on
the other side of the group before any of them could have said "Peter
Piper."
"I know what it is," cried Alphonse; "it's a fairy slipper. The fairy
has sent it for us to play with."
"It's a fairy slipper! It's a fairy slipper!" they all cried. "Let's
hunt the fairy slipper!"
Off they started, the king and queen joining in the chase this time, and
enjoying it, being without their crowns and trains.
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