she asked , smiling back again , without in the least knowing why . `` No , dear . I was listening and thinking what a pretty little story one could make out of your fairy living alone down there , and only known by her perfume . '' `` Tell it , Mamma . It is time for our story , and that would be a nice one , I guess , '' said Jack , who was as fond of stories as when he sat in his mother 's lap and chuckled over the hero of the beanstalk . `` We do n't have fairy tales on Sunday , you know , '' began Jill regretfully . `` Call it a parable , and have a moral to it , then it will be all right , '' put in Frank , as he shut his big book , having found what he wanted . `` I like stories about saints , and the good and wonderful things they did , '' said Jill , who enjoyed the wise and interesting bits Mrs. Minot often found for her in grown-up books , for Jill had thoughtful times , and asked questions which showed that she was growing fast in mind if not in body . `` This is a true story ; but I will disguise it a little , and call it ` The Miracle of Saint Lucy , ' '' began Mrs. Minot , seeing a way to tell her good news and amuse the children likewise . Frank retired to the easy-chair , that he might sleep if the tale should prove too childish for him . Jill settled herself among her cushions , and Jack lay flat upon the rug , with his feet up , so that he could admire his red slippers and rest his knee , which ached . `` Once upon a time there was a queen who had two princes . '' `` Was n't there a princess ? '' asked Jack , interested at once . `` No ; and it was a great sorrow to the queen that she had no little daughter , for the sons were growing up , and she was often very lonely . `` Like Snowdrop 's mother , '' whispered Jill . `` Now , do n't keep interrupting , children , or we never shall get on , '' said Frank , more anxious to hear about the boys that were than the girl that was not . `` One day , when the princes were out -- ahem ! we 'll say hunting -- they found a little damsel lying on the snow , half dead with cold , they thought . She was the child of a poor woman who lived in the forest -- a wild little thing , always dancing and singing about ; as hard to catch as a squirrel , and so fearless she would climb the highest trees , leap broad brooks , or jump off the steep rocks to show her courage .
The boys carried her home to the palace , and the XXXXX was glad to have her .
Mamma daughter forest news queen rug sons story thing trees