PART III

“And now go,” said the grandmother, “And fetch in fagots dry; All in the neighbouring fir-wood, Beneath the trees they lie.”

Away went kind, good Mabel, Into the fir-wood near, Where all the ground was dry and brown, And the grass grew thin and sear.

She did not wander up and down, Nor yet a live branch pull, But steadily of the fallen boughs She picked her apron full.

And when the wildwood Brownies Came sliding to her mind, She drove them thence, as she was told, With home-thoughts sweet and kind.

But all that while the Brownies Within the fir-wood still, They watched her how she picked the wood, And strove to do no ill.

“And oh! but she is small and neat!” Said one; “’twere shame to spite A creature so demure and meek, A creature harmless quite!”

“Look only,” said another, “At her little gown of blue, At her kerchief pinned about her head, And at her little shoe!”

“Oh! but she is a comely child,” Said a third; “and we will lay A good-luck penny in her path, A boon for her this day,-- Seeing she broke no living wood, No live thing did affray!”

With that the smallest penny, Of the finest silver ore, Upon the dry and slippery path, Lay Mabel’s feet before.

With joy she picked the penny up, The Fairy penny good; And with her fagots dry and brown Went wandering from the wood.

“Now she has that,” said the Brownies, “Let flax be ever so dear, ’Twill buy her clothes of the very best, For many and many a year.”