“Not she,” said the old woman.  “She runs with them instead of away from them.  When I saw them back there they had all taken hands and were leaping in a circle around her.  She was jumping and dancing in the center as wild and lawless as they, and just as high, too. . . .  But it’s a pity she isn’t with her mother all the same, going on decent errands in the village.  Only of course it’s not her fault, poor child!  She daren’t go into the village.”

“Why daren’t she?” asked Eric.

“How dare she?” cried the old woman.  “She’d be seen, for she’s only part fairy, of course.  But hush, hush!”

She clapped her hands over her mouth.  “What am I telling you,—­one of the secrets of the forest, and you a stranger here?  You must forget it all.  Ivra’s a good child.  Now don’t ask me any more questions, or I might tell you more.”

But Eric had begun to wonder.  What did it mean, that Ivra was part fairy?  And why wasn’t it safe for her to be seen in the village?  And were there really witches, and was she playing with them out there in the wild day?

The old woman was talking on, but he heard no more.

Then the door blew open in a snowy gust of wind, and there stood Helma, the mother, her arms full of bundles, her cheeks ruddy from the wind, and her short hair crisp and blown.

CHAPTER V

WORLD STORIES

Now Eric learned that the old woman’s name was Nora, for that was what Helma called her, and seemed glad to find her there.  She stayed on only long enough to see what Helma had brought in her bundles, and then started out for the farm, drawing her red cape closely about her this time, and not blowing much as she walked briskly to the gap in the hedge.  Once through she disappeared quickly in the high drifting snow.  Hardly had she gone her way when Ivra came from another, jumping the hedge and reaching the door in three bounds.

Helma had bought a good deal of thick brown cloth in the village and a strip of brown leather.  It was all for Eric.  She had noticed his lack of shoes and stockings last night, and that his worn clothes were much too poor and thin for winter in the forest.  To-day, while she sewed for him, he would have to stay in.  That was a pity, for it is such fun out in a storm.  By night, though, all would be finished.

“And that is good!” exclaimed Ivra.  “For to-night the Tree Man has asked us to a party.  We’re going to roast chestnuts and play games, and there’s to be a surprise, too.  The Tree Girl called it all out to me as I passed just now.  She put only her head through the door, for the snow came so suddenly it caught her without a single white frock,—­only a bonnet.  But that was pretty.  It has five points like a star, mother.”

“The Tree Girl,” said Eric.  “What a queer name!  But how did she know about me to ask me too?  Did she ask me?”