And lo, and forsooth! as the words he was uttering, A rich puff of air set his candle a-guttering, And there rose in the kitchen a sizzling and sputtering, With a crackling of sparks and of flames a great fluttering, And--of which here could not be two opinions-- A smoking-hot savour of sage and onions. Beam, wall and flagstones the kitchen was lit, Every dark corner and cranny of it With the blaze from the hearthstone. Copper and brass Winked back the winking of platter and glass. And a wonderful squeaking of mice went up At the smell of a Michaelmas supper to sup-- Unctuous odours that wreathed and swirled Where'er frisked a whisker or mouse-tail twirled, While out of the chimney up into the night That ne'er-to-be-snuffed-too-much smoke took flight. "That's one," says the Fairy, finger on thumb, "So now, Mister Sam, there's but two to come!" She leaned her head sidelong; she lifted her chin, With a twinkling of eye from the radiance within. Poor Sam stood astounded; he says, says he, "I _wish_ my old Mother was back with me, For if there was one thing she couldn't refuse 'Twas a sweet thick slice from the breast of a goose." But his cheek grew stiff and his eyes stared bright, For there, on her stick, pushing out of the night, Tap-tapping along, herself and no other, Came who but the shape of his dear old Mother! Straight into the kitchen she hastened and went, Her breath coming quick as if all but spent. "Why, Sam," says she, "the bird be turning, For my nose tells I that the skin's a-burning!" And down at the oven the ghost of her sat And basted the goose with the boiling fat. "Oho," cries the Fairy, sweet and small, "Another wish gone will leave nothing at all." And Sam sighs, "Bless 'ee, Ma'am, keep the other, There's nowt that I want now I have my Mother." But the Fairy laughs softly, and says, says she, "There's one wish left, Sam, I promised 'ee three. Hasten your wits, the hour creeps on, There's calling afield and I'm soon to be gone. Soon as haps midnight the cocks will crow And me to the gathering and feasting must go."