"
But the grand surprise came when, near the last, four Gunki hurried in
bearing a large chest, which they placed at Sara's feet. "It came by
the Gahoppigas Express, Miss, with no message," they explained. And
when Sara opened it she found that it was full of butterfly money--the
loveliest pieces of gold and silver that the frittilaries and papilios
had collected from their own wings. Just inside the lid was a lily
leaf bearing the inscription,
"For Sara, from a grateful Nation,
Because she is older than the Snoodle."
Sara distributed handfuls of the beautiful little coins among them and
again they cheered her for her generosity. Sara felt that she really
did not deserve the cheering, however, as she seemed to have as many
as ever--even after she had filled Mrs. Snimmy's apron and a shoe
apiece for each Gunkus.
When the excitement over the money had subsided a little, Pirlaps
announced; "The Banquet is now ready!" and again offering Sara his arm,
he led her at the head of another procession three times around the
fountain; and the third time, as before, there beside the cake was the
banquet table--all spread and loaded down and glittering. Of course it
was quite a long table, with a good many covers; there had to be one
for each of Avrillia's children and for every one of the Gunki.
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