"I wish little Lucy Dermot could be taught music, so as to give lessons, and support her mother and herself."
"You extravagant girl," said Mr. Arnott, "it is well I limited your wishes to three, or I should be a ruined man."
"Oh, papa! fairies and magicians never find any fault with our wishes, if they are ever so extravagant."
"Well, Lucy Dermot shall be taught music, if she be able and willing to learn. Now for the third wish."
"Oh! I must have till to-morrow to think of that. That is my last wish, and it must be something very good."
"To-morrow, then, I shall expect to hear it; and now you may go and dream of it. Good-night."
I went down early the next morning to put some books, which I had finished reading, into their places in the library, an apartment communicating with the breakfast-parlor by a door, now standing open. While I was there, Mr. Arnott entered the parlor, and immediately after, Florence bounded in, exclaiming, "Oh, papa! I have found out my third wish."
"Well, my daughter, what is it?"
"Why, you know, papa, nurse has a daughter, and she is her only child, just as I am your only child; and she is very good, too, nurse says."
"Just as you are very good, I suppose."