. In happy far-away land . the crowd sat as still as mice, to see Johnny Long try a higherjump than he had ever tried before. Jack watched the bar as it was raisedtwo inches higher, and it was so far above his head, that but for the fairy, hewould quite have lost heart. Johnny Longs face was pale, but he ran forward again and sprang into theair. A moment later the bar fell to the ground. Johnny Long had failed. Hecould not jump over the old Kings hat. Keep a brave heart, and remem-ber what I have told you, whisperedthe fairy in Jacks ear. Jill and yourmother are watching. Jump your verybest fo
. In happy far-away land . the crowd sat as still as mice, to see Johnny Long try a higherjump than he had ever tried before. Jack watched the bar as it was raisedtwo inches higher, and it was so far above his head, that but for the fairy, hewould quite have lost heart. Johnny Longs face was pale, but he ran forward again and sprang into theair. A moment later the bar fell to the ground. Johnny Long had failed. Hecould not jump over the old Kings hat. Keep a brave heart, and remem-ber what I have told you, whisperedthe fairy in Jacks ear. Jill and yourmother are watching. Jump your verybest for them and the King. The men replaced the pole, and fora moment Jacks courage almost failedhim. How could he do what JohnnyLong, who was so much taller than he,had been unable to do ? He looked over at his mother andJill. Jill was waving her hand at him,and he heard her singing the little songshe had always sung when she held thebroom-stick for him at home. Jack, be nimble, Jack, be quick,Jack, jump over the THE WAYS OF THE FAIRY GRUMPS 89 All his courage came back and he laughed. Then, bounding along as ifhis feet were rubber balls, he ran forward, gathered himself together as thepanthers in the forest do before they leap, and sprang up, up, up, till, with hislegs bent to one side under him, he cleared the Kings hat, and shot down likean arrow to the mattress. Wild and long were the cheers of the people, and King Cole, in hisdelight, forgot that he was a king, and ran clown like a boy to clap Jack onthe back. A brave heart ! cried he. A brave heart made that mighty jump,my lad. That was worth a better prize than I can give, my fine fellow. I amproud of you—proud of a boy who knows so well how to use his strength ! This embarrassed Jack very much indeed, and he looked about for hiscoat and Jills white stone. One of the Kings lords had picked up the stone,and he whispered in the Kings ear. The King looked at the piece of rockin amazement. Where did you get this?
Size: 1413px × 1768px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookidinhappyfaraw, bookyear1902
