On this side or on this side.
Now, with care the knife I bring —
Do I get you, Little ring?
Now I cut! Just at this spot!
Do I get you, Ring—or not?”
The Fairy cut the slice, and all crowded round to learn the result.
“You do not!” exclaimed Lollie, as there was no ring seen in the Fairy’s slice.
One after another, they each cut a slice, and even to the very last one, no one secured the ring.
“Not strange,” said Mrs. Rawlins, calmly, as she took away the plate, “there wasn’t any ring in it! Of course none of you children will be married this year or for many years yet.”
Then a great laugh went up at the way they had been hoaxed, and Lollie said, comically, “Just my luck! I thought I might get a rich wife, who would promise to wait for me till I’m of age!”