"At first she could not believe so strange a thing was possible, and feared lest she was only stupid and ungrateful. But, alas! the downy, flowery, too easy life became more and more tiresome until, in trouble and distress, she went to the Fairy with a look in her eyes that the wise Fairy understood. Yet she asked kindly: "'What is it, dear?' "'Ah, good Fairy, I fear that I am but a naughty, naughty child.' "'Have you done wrong?' asked the Fairy. "'No, I have meant to do nothing wrong, good Fairy.' "'Then, why feel troubled, dear? No one need really worry who has done no wrong. Tell me, what aileth thee?' "'I have grown tired, dear Fairy.' "The Fairy smiled. "'Just as I knew you would,' she said. "'You knew I would?' The child's eyes opened wide in surprise. "'Yes; and shall I tell you why?' "'Please do.' "The beautiful face of the Fairy glowed with love and wisdom, and tiny sparks of light seemed to shoot forth from all about her head as she replied: "'My little one, my precious one, truth is that every one who comes into the world has some work to do, and happiness, and sweet content, can come only through doing it. In your home you had errands on which to run, and lessons to learn. "'Ah! there is the great secret of what young people need, and must have, if ever they are going to be worth much in the world--lessons! "'But you did not like being useful, and doing the errands, nor did you want to study and learn your lessons. And so you thought that you were troubled and tired--only a fancy it was, however. So I wafted you to Fairy Town, where all is quiet, downy, flowery, full of ease, luxury, and feasting. "'But, _because_ you have a mind to fill with useful, glorious knowledge, and a life to fill with good deeds, you could not live so really useless a round of nought but pleasure. "'Go back to sweet duty, dear one, and remember that Fairy Town is not for a child of the great King of Heaven.' "Then the child awoke, and, lo! she thirsted for Fairy Town no longer." Lionel's pleasant voice ceased. For a moment it was quiet in the arbor, then there was a rustling sound, and Rosamond Earlscourt's clear voice rang out with a scornful note: "Oh, indeed! and, indeed! Then that is the reason it hath been told that this Fairy story is a good one for all to read, both old and young. Because it teacheth the need of learning, and of being useful in the world. I call it stupid!" "I do not!" said Lionel; "how can one be fitted to live properly without a good degree of learning? And who would wish to live without being useful?" "What mean you to do with all your wisdom?" laughingly asked his sister Lucretia. Lionel had wandered from the summer-house, and stood on a broad stone near the edge of the wall. Sally could see him plainly, although there was little clanger of his seeing her. His head was held erect as he poised straight and strong, the look of a man in his face.