"Call him Fairy," said Ellen Chauncey "that's a pretty name. Mamma says she used to have a horse called Fairy. Do, Ellen! call him Fairy."
"No," said Ellen; "he can't have a lady's name that's the trouble."
"I have it, Ellen!" said Alice "I have a name for you call him the Brownie."
" 'The Brownie?' " said Ellen.
"Yes brownies are male fairies; and brown is his colour; so how will that do?"
It was soon decided that it would do very well. It was simple, descriptive, and not common: Ellen made up her mind that 'The Brownie' should be his name. No sooner given, it began to grow dear. Ellen's face quitted its look of anxious gravity, and came out into the broadest and fullest satisfaction. She never showed joy boisterously; but there was a light in her eye which brought many a smile into those of her friends as they sat round the tea-table.
After tea it was necessary to go home, much to the sorrow of all parties. Ellen knew, however, it would not do to stay; Miss Fortune was but just got well, and perhaps already thinking herself ill-used. She put on her things.
"Are you going to take your pony home with you?" said Miss
Sophia.
"Oh, no, Ma'am, not to-night. I must see about a place for him; and, besides, poor fellow, he is tired, I dare say."
"I do believe you would take more care of his legs than of your own," said Miss Sophia.