5. The Rainbow's Daughter

           Toto,nowallowedtorunaboutashepleased,wasgladtobefreeagainandabletobarkatthebirdsandchasethebutterflies.Thecountryaroundthemwascharming,yetintheprettyfieldsofwild-flowersandgrovesofleafytreeswerenohouseswhatever,orsignofanyinhabitants.Birdsflewthroughtheairandcunningwhiterabbitsdartedamongstthetallgrassesandgreenbushes;Dorothynoticedeventheantstoilingbusilyalongtheroadway,bearinggiganticloadsofcloverseed;butofpeopletherewerenoneatall.

           Theywalkedbrisklyonforanhourortwo,forevenlittleButton-Brightwasagoodwalkeranddidnottireeasily.Atlengthastheyturnedacurveintheroadtheybeheldjustbeforethemacurioussight.

           Alittlegirl,radiantandbeautiful,shapelyasafairyandexquisitelydressed,wasdancinggracefullyinthemiddleofthelonelyroad,whirlingslowlythiswayandthat,herdaintyfeettwinklinginsprightlyfashion.Shewascladinflowing,fluffyrobesofsoftmaterialthatremindedDorothyofwovencobwebs,onlyitwascoloredinsofttintingsofviolet,rose,topaz,olive,azure,andwhite,mingledtogethermostharmoniouslyinstripeswhichmeltedoneintotheotherwithsoftblendings.Herhairwaslikespungoldandflowedaroundherinacloud,nostrandbeingfastenedorconfinedbyeitherpinorornamentorribbon.

           Filledwithwonderandadmirationourfriendsapproachedandstoodwatchingthisfascinatingdance.ThegirlwasnotallerthanDorothy,althoughmoreslender;nordidsheseemanyolderthanourlittleheroine.