WONDERING TOM 125

ing, but it was only you, calling. I’ve a very little while
to stay, but you shall have one more chance of obtaining
everything you wish. Now, sir, be careful! I Il answer

?

you any three questions you may choose to put to me”; and
Setalit sat down on a toadstool, and looked very profound.

“Only three?” asked Tom, anxiously.

“Only three.”

“Why can’t you give me a dozen? There ’s so much
that one wishes to know in this world.”

“ Because I cannot,” said the fairy, firmly.

“But it’s so hard to put everything into such a few
questions! I don’t know what in the world to decide upon.
What do you think I ought to ask ?”

“Consult the dearest wishes of your heart,’ answered
Setalit, “for there is the truest wisdom.”

“Ah, well. Let me think,” pursued Tom, with great de-
liberation. “I want to be wise, of course, and good, and

 

very rich—and I want mother to be the same,— and,
good fairy, if you would n’t mind it, little Wisk to be the

same too. And dear me!

 

it’s hard to put everything into
such a few questions. Let me see. First, I suppose T ought
to learn how to become immensely rich, right off, and then
I can give mother and Wisk everything they want; so, good
Setalit, here ’s my first question, How can I grow rich, very
rich, in —in one week ?”

The fairy shook her head.

“T would answer you, Master Tom, with ereat pleasure,”
she said, “but this is number rour. You have already
asked your three questions.” And she turned into a green
frog and jumped away, chuckling.