`` 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 flower will we keep the child pure and stainless amid the sin and sorrow around her . The love of this shall lead her on through temptation and through grief , and she shall be a spirit of joy and consolation to the sinful and the sorrowing . '' And with busy love toiled the Elves amid the withered leaves , and new strength was given to the flower ; while , as day by day the friendless child watered the growing buds , deeper grew her love for the unseen friends who had given her one thing to cherish in her lonely home ; sweet , gentle thoughts filled her heart as she bent above it , and the blossom 's fragrant breath was to her a whispered voice of all fair and lovely things ; and as the flower taught her , so she taught others . The loving Elves brought her sweet dreams by night , and happy thoughts by day , and as she grew in childlike beauty , pure and patient amid poverty and sorrow , the sinful were rebuked , sorrowing hearts grew light , and the weak and selfish forgot their idle fears , when they saw her trustingly live on with none to aid or comfort her . The love she bore the tender flower kept her own heart innocent and bright , and the pure human flower was a lesson to those who looked upon it ; and soon the gloomy house was bright with happy hearts , that learned of the gentle child to bear poverty and grief as she had done , to forgive those who brought care and wrong to them , and to seek for happiness in humble deeds of charity and love .
`` Our work is done , '' whispered the XXXXX , and with blessings on the two fair flowers , they flew away to other homes ; -- to a blind old man who dwelt alone with none to love him , till through long years of darkness and of silent sorrow the heart within had grown dim and cold .
Elves Eva Evening Ferndale Morning Rose-Leaf cowslip day left mantles