I looked in the water, and saw—’
“‘And will I see a Brownie?’ asked little Mary.
“‘If you fail to see one, it will be no use,’ answered the wise old owl.
“Off went Mary to the pool deep in the woods. Gazing deep into the dark water which was like a mirror, she slowly repeated the magic words.
“But though she looked hard for the Brownie, all she saw was her own sober reflection in the pool.
“‘I must have done it wrong,’ thought Mary. ‘Anyway, there is no word to rhyme with “Elf.”’
“Disappointed and puzzled, the little girl went back to the old owl to report that the charm had failed to work.
“‘Whoooo,’ hooted the owl, winking his sleepy eyes, ‘and what did you see in the pool?’
“‘No one but myself,’ answered little Mary.
“‘Hoot! Hoot!’ said the owl, and he seemed to be laughing in his feathers. ‘And what did you expect to see?’