"I know," replied Bessy; and she sprang up and flew down the lane, through the gate, and up the steps. She could hear Ann and Lucy still talking and laughing in the kitchen, but no one seemed to be thinking of her; so she drew the key out softly, and ran back, thinking how delighted her father and mother would be in the morning. Bessy found the old fairy waiting in the same place.
"SHE SNATCHED THE KEY, AND SAID, 'I'LL BE BACK IN A MOMENT.'"
She snatched the key, and said, "I'll be back in a moment," and vanished into the darkness. Bessy was almost wild with excitement, but she kept as quiet as she could, and presently the fairy re-appeared.
Her first words astonished Bessy:
"Have you a dog?"
"Yes," answered Bessy, "but he's the best dog that ever lived. He never bites any but bad people, and his name is Watch."
"What do you do with him at night?"
"Why, we let him run around the garden to keep away thieves."
"You do, do you? That's right," said the old fairy. "You just give him this fairy meat; it will keep him from barking at the fairy I send, and scaring her away."