It seems that Nora had come upon the queen's birthday, and she was
just giving the birthday honors. So Nora and the dryad stood in the
background and watched the scene. Around the throne stood gallant
fairy gentlemen clad like beetles and dragon flies for splendor
and ladies whose long gowns hung like the light on the waterfall of
Loughmareen. But to the amazement of Nora, those who came forward to
receive the honors were for the most part dressed like workmen and
many of them were bent with hard labor. As each advanced and made
obeisance, the royal herald read the exploit for which the rank
of knighthood was about to be conferred. For one he read: "To our
faithful servant who covered the lilies of Moira from the attack of
the Frost King"; and to another: "To the gallant yeoman who watered
the grain field of Kilvellin"; and to still another: "To him who dug
the trench by the roadside and kept safe the highway to Throselwait
Fair." And as each came forward the trumpets pealed in triumph, and
after a gold star had been pinned upon the new knight's breast the
gentlemen and ladies of the court greeted them with hearty reverence.
And Nora looked in the smiling face of the dryad, but said nothing.
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