160 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND, {rz1.

 

was struck at once with a fear of what might be the
consequences of his indiscretion, and determined to
avoid again falling into an error which might cost him
so dear. As yet, indeed, he was uncertain whether or
no his drawer of notes was not already permanently
closed, and it was with fear and trembling that he once
more tried it upon the next morning. To his great
joy it opened the same as of old, and was as prolific
as ever. Apparently the Fairies had only intended
to give him a warning, and this he resolved should
not be lost upon him. Therefore, as he found himself
quite unable to refrain from occasional violent excla-
mations directed against the writers of the numerous
begging letters which he daily received, he took the
wise precaution of having them always placed in the
parlour, so that he got over his rage there before pro-
ceeding to establish himself in his den.

As time wore on, however, other difficulties cropped
up, and among these the first and foremost was the
increased determination on the part of his friends to
press upon the worthy milkman the absolute necessity
of his moving to some larger and more fashionable
residence, such as would better become the exalted
position which he had been called upon to fill. Of
course Martha Pattison was very urgent upon the
point, and although Dolly did not press it, there
could be but little doubt that the change would be
agreeable to her. Poor Simon stood out as long as
he could, until at last he was induced to give a re-
luctant assent to the change. It may be wondered
why the good man, in this and his other troubles,
never asked the Silver Fairy’s advice, and indeed the