somewhat in his noddle, to do a man's work?"

"And but twenty-one will I be then," answered the Fairy Prince. "Youth
is the time for study."

"And is so very much learning needed?" asked a womanish voice which yet
was a man's, "for the young gentleman who will have lands and servants
of his own whenever he wants them?"

"No man can properly care for houses, lands, or servants, who hath not a
fair stock of the right kind of learning," said Lionel, stoutly.
"Besides," he added, "they say that there are troublous times ahead in
our fine new country, and one must have a clear understanding of
history, laws, and rules of government in order to act wisely. The
colonists may have to act with great decision before long, and a man
should be equipped 'to follow the right side.'"

"And well prepared you will be, lad, when that time comes!" cried the
hearty voice of Captain Rothwell.

The foppish voice asked again, in tones that all at the table could not
hear, nor could Sally have heard only that the young man was seated
close by the wall:

"And what will comfort the sister and our fair Lady Rosamond, meantime?
Eh? eh? eh? And our fair Lady Rosamond, prithee?"

"There will be homeward trips in the summer," Lionel replied; "no one
will need forget me."

"Well, maids must weep when swains desert," lisped the silly young man,
whom no one answered.

Then the mocker trilled again, the talk became confused, coming in
fragments across the wall. But Sally's eyes were big with a kind of
sorrow, and there had come a fast rising and falling at the bosom of her
faded little gown.

"He is going away!" she sighed. "My Fairy Prince is going away. The fall
will come soon, and away will he go to make the difference between us
greater still. Ah! ah! why did the fine voice arise within me, only to
show the great distance that lieth between the rich and the poor, those
who can learn, and those who know naught?"

"Oh, be quiet, child, and cease repining," cried the good Fairy. "Bestir
yourself! Watch your Fairy Prince while you may, as it comforts you, and
when he goeth forth to study, go you forth also, and seek out ways to
learn yourself. There lieth five years between your age and that of the
Fairy Prince, feel you not within your heart that very much might be
learned in five years if with a strong will you do your best for Maid
Sally?"

"The will is strong enough," whispered Sally, "the will is not wanting,
but the way, dear Fairy,