CHAPTER XXII

=WHAT THE FAIRIES THOUGHT= 235

_How the old frog actually laughed! Why George Henry_ was _a wonder-child after all, and why Puck was delighted_.

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

"LOOK, THERE'S THE CASTLE!" SAID THE KNIGHT, POINTING STRAIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM _Frontispiece_

THERE STOOD A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE HOUSE WITH SMOKE CURLING UP FROM ITS CHIMNEYS 70

THE LIGHT GREW BRIGHTER AND BRIGHTER 122

AROUND HIM WERE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF TINY FIGURES 220

THIS is a true story.

It all happened through George Henry not believing in the fairies, just as some boys but _very_ few girls would do.

Boys believe in Red Indians and pirates, and think fairies are all stuff and nonsense; but they are quite wrong, for Puck can turn himself into anybody or anything he chooses. So if one day when you are ploughing the foaming main you sight a pirate ship flying the skull and crossbones at the masthead, it may not be a pirate at all, but only Puck himself.

Beware! If he catches you he will make you walk the fairy plank, and you will fall off it _splash!_ right into Fairyland, and find yourself turned into a cross old frog or something quite as disagreeable.

This story should be read aloud. You should seat yourselves in a ring--that will please the fairies--and look happy, even if you aren't as happy as you might be. Sour looks curdle cream and stories as well.

"What!" you say. "Dragons and witches and giants! Do you expect us to believe in _them_?"

Well, why not? Do you only believe in what you have seen? All the best books are full of wonders like these, and everything wonderful _must_ be true.

So, once again, this is a true story.

Now turn to the next page and begin!