and so on , but the pursuit was delayed while they discussed who should march in front , and this gave Duchess Brownie time to cast herself before the Queen and demand a boon . Every bride has a right to a boon , and what she asked for was Maimie 's life . ` Anything except that , ' replied Queen Mab sternly , and all the fairies echoed , ` Anything except that . ' But when they learned how Maimie had befriended Brownie and so enabled her to attend the ball to their great glory and renown , they gave three huzzas for the little human , and set off , like an army , to thank her , the court advancing in front and the canopy keeping step with it . They traced Maimie easily by her footprints in the snow . But though they found her deep in snow in the Figs , it seemed impossible to thank Maimie , for they could not waken her . They went through the form of thanking her -- that is to say , the new King stood on her body and read her a long address of welcome , but she heard not a word of it . They also cleared the snow off her , but soon she was covered again , and they saw she was in danger of perishing of cold . ` Turn her into something that does not mind the cold , ' seemed a good suggestion of the doctor 's , but the only thing they could think of that does not mind cold was a snowflake . ` And it might melt , ' the Queen pointed out , so that idea had to be given up . A magnificent attempt was made to carry her to a sheltered spot , but though there were so many of them she was too heavy . By this time all the ladies were crying in their handkerchiefs , but presently the Cupids had a lovely idea . ` Build a house round her , ' they cried , and at once everybody perceived that this was the thing to do ; in a moment a hundred fairy sawyers were among the branches , architects were running round Maimie , measuring her ; a bricklayer 's yard sprang up at her feet , seventy-five masons rushed up with the foundation-stone , and the Queen laid it , overseers were appointed to keep the boys off , scaffoldings were run up , the whole place rang with hammers and chisels and turning-lathes , and by this time the roof was on and the glaziers were putting in the windows . -LSB- Illustration : Queen Mab , who rules in the Gardens -RSB- The house was exactly the size of Maimie , and perfectly lovely . One of her arms was extended , and this had bothered them for a second , but they built a verandah round it leading to the front door . The windows were the size of a coloured picture-book and the door rather smaller , but it would be easy for her to get out by taking off the roof . The fairies , as is their custom , clapped their hands with delight over their cleverness , and they were so madly in love with the little house that they could not bear to think they had finished it . So they gave it ever so many little extra touches , and even then they added more extra touches . For instance , two of them ran up a ladder and put on a chimney . ` Now we fear it is quite finished , ' they sighed .
But no , for another two ran up the XXXXX , and tied some smoke to the chimney .
Anything army boon chimney fairies house ladder ladies something touches