“Certainly I will,” cried Johnny; “but if I help you I want you to give me something in return.”
“What will you have?” said the little fay. “Speak quickly, and get me out of this horrible web.”
“I should like the wishing-cap,” replied our hero boldly.
“The wishing-cap? Silly boy! Why do you ask such a boon?”
“Because I want to be as well off as young Bertie Woolcrop, who rides on a white pony with a groom following him,” answered Johnny.
“Tush!” responded the fairy. “You are much better as you are.”
“Am I?” said the boy in a gruff tone. “If you say that you know nothing about it, and you may stop in that hole until the ants sting you to death, before I’ll help you, now! Why should he have a pony, and a servant, and a little girl to ride with him and to keep him company, while I——”
“You are a strong, healthy little boy, without a care,” interrupted the entrapped elfin.
“I am worn with care and with hard work,” answered the youngster. “My grandfather is [[167]]cross; the damper is tough, and not too much of it; my clothes are worn, and my boots are gaping at the toes; the old mare is lazy, and firewood cheap. Come, what will you do for me?”
“If I gave you the wishing-cap, what would you do?” inquired the fay.