As thus she spoke , the Queen , who had spied out a chain of jewels Ripple wore upon her neck , replied , -- `` If you will give me those bright , sparkling stones , I will bestow on you a part of my own flame ; for we have no such lovely things to wear about our necks , and I desire much to have them . Will you give it me for what I offer , little Spirit ? '' Joyfully Ripple gave her the chain ; but , as soon as it touched her hand , the jewels melted like snow , and fell in bright drops to the ground ; at this the Queen 's eyes flashed , and the Spirits gathered angrily about poor Ripple , who looked sadly at the broken chain , and thought in vain what she could give , to win the thing she longed so earnestly for . `` I have many fairer gems than these , in my home below the sea ; and I will bring all I can gather far and wide , if you will grant my prayer , and give me what I seek , '' she said , turning gently to the fiery Spirits , who were hovering fiercely round her . `` You must bring us each a jewel that will never vanish from our hands as these have done , '' they said , `` and we will each give of our fire ; and when the child is brought to life , you must bring hither all the jewels you can gather from the depths of the sea , that we may try them here among the flames ; but if they melt away like these , then we shall keep you prisoner , till you give us back the light we lend . If you consent to this , then take our gift , and journey home again ; but fail not to return , or we shall seek you out . '' And Ripple said she would consent , though she knew not if the jewels could be found ; still , thinking of the promise she had made , she forgot all else , and told the Spirits what they asked most surely should be done . So each one gave a little of the fire from their breasts , and placed the flame in a crystal vase , through which it shone and glittered like a star . Then , bidding her remember all she had promised them , they led her to the golden arch , and said farewell . So , down along the shining path , through mist and cloud , she travelled back ; till , far below , she saw the broad blue sea she left so long ago . Gladly she plunged into the clear , cool waves , and floated back to her pleasant home ; where the Spirits gathered joyfully about her , listening with tears and smiles , as she told all her many wanderings , and showed the crystal vase that she had brought . `` Now come , '' said they , `` and finish the good work you have so bravely carried on . '' So to the quiet tomb they went , where , like a marble image , cold and still , the little child was lying . Then Ripple placed the flame upon his breast , and watched it gleam and sparkle there , while light came slowly back into the once dim eyes , a rosy glow shone over the pale face , and breath stole through the parted lips ; still brighter and warmer burned the magic fire , until the child awoke from his long sleep , and looked in smiling wonder at the faces bending over him . Then Ripple sang for joy , and , with her sister Spirits , robed the child in graceful garments , woven of bright sea-weed , while in his shining hair they wreathed long garlands of their fairest flowers , and on his little arms hung chains of brilliant shells . `` Now come with us , dear child , '' said Ripple ; `` we will bear you safely up into the sunlight and the pleasant air ; for this is not your home , and yonder , on the shore , there waits a loving friend for you . '' So up they went , through foam and spray , till on the beach , where the fresh winds played among her falling hair , and the waves broke sparkling at her feet , the lonely mother still stood , gazing wistfully across the sea . Suddenly , upon a great blue billow that came rolling in , she saw the Water-Spirits smiling on her ; and high aloft , in their white gleaming arms , her child stretched forth his hands to welcome her ; while the little voice she so longed to hear again cried gayly , -- `` See , dear mother , I am come ; and look what lovely things the gentle Spirits gave , that I might seem more beautiful to you . '' Then gently the great wave broke , and rolled back to the sea , leaving Ripple on the shore , and the child clasped in his mother 's arms . `` O faithful little Spirit !
I would gladly give some precious gift to show my gratitude for this kind deed ; but I have nothing save this chain of little pearls : they are the tears I shed , and the sea has changed them thus , that I might offer them to you , '' the happy mother XXXXX , when her first joy was passed , and Ripple turned to go .
consent found give return rolled said shone stood told wear