"Cinderella's godmother never seemed to consider the price of anything. I wish--oh, how I wish----" "Oh, how I wish you'd be quiet and help me with this sum. You remember your tables better than I do, but you needn't be jolly cocky about it all the same." Norah wasn't listening to him. Her mind was far away from lessons. She was thinking, if she had her choice, what she would like to be, what she would like to do, and eat, and, above all, what she would like to wear. "If only I had a fairy godmother, I----" "Rubbish!" exclaimed Wilfrid, growing cross, and frowning as he watched her moving restlessly about the room. "I--of course, I wouldn't refuse her anything. Fairy godmothers generally appear at first disguised as old women, and ask for something, such as a drink of water, or beg you to carry a load of wood or whatever they happen to have in hand. So I should be ready to do anything and give anything, and earn my big reward." "Oh, shurrup!" growled her brother. "Much better lend me your paint-box." But she didn't hear him; taken up with her fancies she continued excitedly-- "I know what I'll do. I'll try and tempt her to come. Perhaps I may even have a fairy godmother without knowing it!" And she began to dance about, singing-- "Tra-la-la, fairy godmother, Come to me now, I pray; Visit a little girl who is longing for you And will do anything you want. Tra-la-la, fairy godmother, come." It wasn't very good poetry, but Norah hadn't time to polish it up. "Oh, I say! How can I do my lessons with all this going on?" exclaimed Wilfrid. And flinging his things together he bounced out of the room and banged the door behind him. Norah wasn't sorry he was gone, and danced once more all round the room singing; then knelt down, and, stretching out her arms towards the crocuses which were so stiff and upright in their indifference, she said plaintively-- "Come, dear fairy godmother, I want you!" And lo! between Norah and the window there suddenly appeared a little old woman in a long cloak, whose features were hidden by the large hood she wore. "Oh!" exclaimed Norah, almost breathless in her astonishment and delight. "I have come," said the stranger in cracked, quavering tones. "I'm so glad to see you," replied Norah politely, too excited to feel shy. "I--your fairy godmother--am here to test you and see if you are really worthy. See this slate which I have brought under my cloak. Every little lady should be able to do arithmetic right. Can you do this sum?" "How funny, godmother dear!" said Norah, looking at it. "We are just learning these. It's a difficult one, but I'll try." In a few moments she had done the sum and proved it correct. "Very good," said the fairy, with a grunt of satisfaction. "Will you take a drink of water?" now asked the hospitable Norah eagerly. "Do." "No, thank you. But I may take something else. Tell me, what of all your treasures do you like most?" "Oh, my paint-box!"