ng for prudence or reflection.
Downstairs he flies, his face inflamed with anger, and meeting the
unfortunate Sukey at the door of the servants' hall, upbraids her in no
gentle terms for her impertinence. In vain the poor girl defends
herself, and denies Master Jacky's accusation; the other servants come
to the rescue, and the whole household is in an uproar, till suddenly
Miss Elizabetha is named as the source of the mischief.

'"Ah," says the old housekeeper, "do not distress yourself, Sukey; we
all know what Miss Elizabetha's tongue is!"

'And thereupon the poor girl is freed from blame. She had only gone to
the schoolroom by the desire of an upper servant to mend the fire, and
the real offender was discovered to have been the cat!

'This affair coming to the ears of Elizabetha's father, he reproved her
with great severity. Mortified and chagrined, she, as usual, wept
bitterly, and ashamed to meet the cold looks of the household, she
hastened out into the garden and paced up and down a shady walk, where
she imagined herself quite hidden from observation.'"

"Cis," interrupted Carrots at this point, "I don't understand the
story."

"I'm very sorry," said Cecil, "I didn't notice what a lot of long words
there are. Shall I leave off?"

"_I_ understand it," said Floss.

"Then read it for Floss, please, Cis," said Carrots. "I'll be kite
still."

"You're a good little boy," said Cecil; "I suppose I may as well finish
it as I have begun. We're coming to the fairy part now. Perhaps you'll
understand it better. Where was I? Oh yes, 'imagined herself quite
hidden from observation. But in this she was mistaken, as my readers
will see.

'She walked slowly up and down. "Oh my tongue, my cruel tongue!" she
exclaimed, "what trouble it is the cause of! How can I cure myself of my
rash speech?"

'"Do you in all sincerity wish to cure yourself, Elizabetha?" said a
voice beside her; and turning in surprise at its sound, the young girl
perceived at a few steps' distance a fair and sweet looking lady, clad
in silvery-white, adorned with wreaths of the loveliest flowers.

'"Assuredly I do, gracious lady," replied Elizabetha, mastering as well
as she was able her surprise, for she felt that this beautiful lady must
be a fairy of high degree.

'"Then _I_ will help you," said the lady, "but on one condition,
hereafter to be explained. You are content to agree to this beforehand?"

'"To _anything_, kind fairy," replied the yo