As they settled themselves for the evening, each quietly and alone after his or her particular fashion of comfort, the “ifs” and “buts” were still buzzing riotously; while the primroses, although forgotten, clung persistently to the frills or coat lapels where the Youngest and Prettiest Trustee had put them.  There it was that Fancy slipped unnoticed over the threshold of library, den, and boudoir in turn; and with a glint of mischief in her eyes she set the stage in each place to her own liking, while she summoned whatever players she chose to do her bidding.

Now the trustees were very different from the children in the matter of telling what they remembered of that May Eve.  Of course they were hampered with all the self-consciousness and skepticism of grown-ups, which would make them quite unwilling to own up to anything strange or out of the conventional path, not in a hundred years.  Therefore I am forced to leave their part of the telling to Fancy, and you may believe or discredit as much or as little as you choose; only I am hoping that by this time you have acquired at least a sprinkling of fern-seed in your eyes.  You may have forgotten that fern-seed is the most subtle of eye-openers known to Fancy; and that it enables you to see the things that have existed only in your imagination.  It is very scarce nowadays, and hard to find, for the bird-fanciers no longer keep it—­and the nursery-gardeners have forgotten how to grow it.  In the light of what happened afterward, I think you will agree that Fancy has not been far wrong concerning the trustees; she has a way of putting things a little differently, that is all.

To be sure, you may argue that it was all chance, conscience, or even indigestion; because the trustees dined late they must have dined heavily.  But if you do, you know very well that Fancy will answer:  “Poof!  Nothing of the kind.  It was a simple matter of primrose magic and—­faeries; nothing else.”  And she ought to know, for she was there.

The President began it.

He sat in his den, yawning over the annual report of the United Charities; he had already yawned a score of times, and the type had commenced running together in a zigzagging line that baffled deciphering.  The President inserted a finger in the report to mark his place, making a mental note to consult his oculist the following day; after which he leaned back and closed his eyes for the space of a moment—­to clear his vision.

When he opened his eyes again his vision had cleared to such an extent that he was quite positive he was seeing things that were not in the room.  Little shadowy figures haunted the dark places:  corners, and curtained recesses, and the unlighted hall beyond.  They peered at him shyly, with such witching, happy faces and eyes that laughed coaxingly.  The President found himself peering back at them and scrutinizing the faces closely.  Oddly enough he could recognize