The house was exactly the size of Maimie and perfectly lovely . One of her arms was extended and this had bothered them for a second , but they built a verandah round it , leading to the front door . The windows were the size of a coloured picture-book and the door rather smaller , but it would be easy for her to get out by taking off the roof . The fairies , as is their custom , clapped their hands with delight over their cleverness , and they were all so madly in love with the little house that they could not bear to think they had finished it . So they gave it ever so many little extra touches , and even then they added more extra touches . For instance , two of them ran up a ladder and put on a chimney . `` Now we fear it is quite finished , '' they sighed . But no , for another two ran up the ladder , and tied some smoke to the chimney . `` That certainly finishes it , '' they cried reluctantly . `` Not at all , '' cried a glow-worm , `` if she were to wake without seeing a night-light she might be frightened , so I shall be her night-light . '' `` Wait one moment , '' said a china merchant , `` and I shall make you a saucer . '' Now alas , it was absolutely finished . Oh , dear no ! `` Gracious me , '' cried a brass manufacturer , `` there 's no handle on the door , '' and he put one on . An ironmonger added a scraper and an old lady ran up with a door-mat . Carpenters arrived with a water-butt , and the painters insisted on painting it . Finished at last ! `` Finished ! how can it be finished , '' the plumber demanded scornfully , `` before hot and cold are put in ? '' and he put in hot and cold .
Then an army of gardeners XXXXX with fairy carts and spades and seeds and bulbs and forcing-houses , and soon they had a flower garden to the right of the verandah and a vegetable garden to the left , and roses and clematis on the walls of the house , and in less time than five minutes all these dear things were in full bloom .
arrived coloured cried extended fear finished finishes gave handle taking