`` Harebell , if a silkworm spin one yard of Fairy cloth in an hour , how many will it spin in a day ? '' `` Twelve , '' said the Fairy child . `` Primrose , where lies Violet Island ? '' `` In the Lake of Ripples . '' `` Lilla , you may bound Rose Land . '' `` On the north by Ferndale , south by Sunny Wave River , east by the hill of Morning Clouds , and west by the Evening Star . '' `` Now , little ones , '' said the teacher , `` you may go to your painting , that our visitor may see how we repair the flowers that earthly hands have injured . '' Then Eva saw how , on large , white leaves , the Fairies learned to imitate the lovely colors , and with tiny brushes to brighten the blush on the anemone 's cheek , to deepen the blue of the violet 's eye , and add new light to the golden cowslip . `` You have stayed long enough , '' said the Elves at length , `` we have many things to show you . Come now and see what is our dearest work . '' So Eva said farewell to the child Elves , and hastened with little Rose-Leaf to the gates . Here she saw many bands of Fairies , folded in dark mantles that mortals might not know them , who , with the child among them , flew away over hill and valley . Some went to the cottages amid the hills , some to the sea-side to watch above the humble fisher folks ; but little Rose-Leaf and many others went into the noisy city . Eva wondered within herself what good the tiny Elves could do in this great place ; but she soon learned , for the Fairy band went among the poor and friendless , bringing pleasant dreams to the sick and old , sweet , tender thoughts of love and gentleness to the young , strength to the weak , and patient cheerfulness to the poor and lonely . Then the child wondered no longer , but deeper grew her love for the tender-hearted Elves , who left their own happy home to cheer and comfort those who never knew what hands had clothed and fed them , what hearts had given of their own joy , and brought such happiness to theirs . Long they stayed , and many a lesson little Eva learned : but when she begged them to go back , they still led her on , saying , `` Our work is not yet done ; shall we leave so many sad hearts when we may cheer them , so many dark homes that we may brighten ? We must stay yet longer , little Eva , and you may learn yet more . '' Then they went into a dark and lonely room , and here they found a pale , sad-eyed child , who wept bitter tears over a faded flower . `` Ah , '' sighed the little one , `` it was my only friend , and I cherished it with all my lone heart 's love ; ' t was all that made my sad life happy ; and it is gone . '' Tenderly the child fastened the drooping stem , and placed it where the one faint ray of sunlight stole into the dreary room .
`` Do you see , '' said the Elves , `` through this simple XXXXX will we keep the child pure and stainless amid the sin and sorrow around her .
brushes cheek eye farewell flower gates hearts home light painting