Page:Fairy Book by Sophie May.djvu/100

92 woman's neck. "Let me help you pick sticks!" said she; "you are too old for hard work: your hands tremble too much."

Swiftly gathering up a load of fagots; she put them together in a bundle.

"Now, how many jewels shall I give her?" thought the child. "She must never want for food again."

"How many?" echoed the Whisper.

"Then she shall have half," said Little One in great glee. "Here, poor woman, take these sapphires and rubies and diamonds, and never be hungry again!"

"Heavenly child!" said the stranger, laying her wasted hand on the sylphid's bright head, and blessing her, "it is little except thanks that an old creature like me can give;