"You've had a beautiful time, all your life, haven't you?" Mary Alice commented admiringly, when they were back in the cozy drawing-room and Godmother was serving coffee from the copper percolator.
"Not all my life, but most of it—yes," said Godmother. "It took me some time to find the talisman, the charm, the secret—or whatever you want to call it—of having a happy time."
"But you found it?"
Godmother flushed as if she were a little bit embarrassed. "Well," she said, "I found one—at last—that worked, for me."
"I wish I could find one," sighed Mary Alice, wistfully.
"I'm going to try to give you mine," said Godmother, "or at least to share it with you. And all I ask of you is, that if it 'works' for you, you'll pass it on to some one else."
"Oh, I will!" cried Mary Alice. "What is it?"
"Wait a minute! I have to tell you about me, first—so you'll understand."
"Please do!" urged Mary Alice. "I'd love to hear."
"Well, you see, when the invitations to my christening were sent out, my folks forgot the fairies, I guess. And as I grew up, I found that I hadn't been gifted with wealth or beauty or talents or charm——"