One of them saw her coming,
and instantly quitting the child she was waltzing with flew to
meet her, and catching her round the middle began spinning her
about as if the solid little thing weighed no more than a
feather. But it proved too much for her; very soon she came
down and broke into a loud cry, which brought her mother
instantly to her, and she was picked up and taken back to the
seat and held to the broad bosom and soothed with caresses and
tender words until the sobs began to subside. Then, even
before the tears were dry, her eyes were once more gazing at
the tireless little dancers, taking on child after child as
they came timidly forward to have a share in the fun, and once
more she began to plead with her "mummy," and would not be
denied, for she was a most determined little Saxon, until
getting her way she rushed out for a second trial. Again the
little dancer saw her coming and flew to her like a bird to
its mate, and clasping her laughed her merry musical little
laugh. It was her "sudden glory," an expression of pure
delight in her power to infuse her own fire and boundless
gaiety of soul into all these little blue-eyed rosy phlegmatic
lumps of humanity.
What was it in these human mites, these fantastic Brownies,
which, in that crowd of Rowenas and their children, made them
seem like beings not only of another race, but of another
species? How came they alone to be distinguished among so
many by that irresponsible gaiety, as of the most volatile of
wild creatures, that quickness of sense and mind and sympathy,
that variety and grace and swiftness--all these brilliant
exotic qualities harmoniously housed in their small beautiful
elastic and vigorous frames? It was their genius, their
character--something derived from their race.
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