WONDERING TOM 123

hat fell over, and out came a fairy, all shining with green

 

and gold,—a funny little creature with a sprightly air.
Her eyes sparkled like diamonds.

“What troubles you, Master Tom?” asked the fairy.

“So she knows my name!” thought the puzzled youth ;
“well, that ’s queerer than anything! I’ve always heard
that these woods were full of fairies ; but I never saw one
before. I wonder why I ’m not more frightened.”

“Did you hear me?” piped the little visitor.

“Did you speak? Oh—yes—ina’am— certainly, I heard
plainly enough.”

“Well, what troubles you ?”

He looked sharply at the fairy. Yes, her little face was
kind. He would tell her all.

“T wonder what your name is?” he said, by way of a
beginning.

“Tt ’s Setalit,” said the fairy. “In mortal language that
means ‘come-to-the-point. Now be quick !—if you can.
I shan’t stay long.”

“Why ?” asked Tom, quite astonished.

“Because I cannot. That’s enough. If you wish me
to help you, you must promptly tell me your trouble.”

“Oh!” said Tom, wondering where to begin.

“Are you lame? Are you sick? Are you blind, deaf,
or dumb ?” she asked, briskly.

“Oh no,” he replied, “nothing like that. Only I don’t
know what to make of things. Everything in this world
puzzles me so, and I can’t ever make up my mind what
to do.”

“Well,” said Setalit, “perhaps I can help you a little.”