Marjorie's Three Gifts

(1899)

Marjorie sat on the door-step, shelling peas, quite unconscious what
a pretty picture she made, with the roses peeping at her through the
lattice work of the porch, the wind playing hide-and-seek in her
curly hair, while the sunshine with its silent magic changed her
faded gingham to a golden gown, and shimmered on the bright tin pan
as if it were a silver shield. Old Rover lay at her feet, the white
kitten purred on her shoulder, and friendly robins hopped about her
in the grass, chirping "A happy birthday, Marjorie!"

But the little maid neither saw nor heard, for her eyes were fixed
on the green pods, and her thoughts were far away. She was recalling
the fairy-tale granny told her last night, and wishing with all her
heart that such things happened nowadays. For in this story, as a
poor girl like herself sat spinning before the door, a Brownie came
by, and gave the child a good-luck penny; then a fairy passed, and
left a talisman which would keep her always happy; and last of all,
the prince rolled up in his chariot, and took her away to reign with
him over a lovely kingdom, as a reward for her many kindnesses to
others.

When Marjorie imagined this part of the story, it was impossible to
help giving one little sigh, and for a minute she forgot her work,
so busy was she thinking what beautiful presents she would give to
all the poor children in her realm when THEY had birthdays. Five
impatient young peas took this opportunity to escape from the
half-open pod in her hand and skip down the steps, to be immediately
gobbled up by an audacious robin, who gave thanks in such a shrill
chirp that Marjorie woke up, laughed, and fell to work again. She
was just finishing, when a voice called out from the lane,--

"Hi, there! come here a minute, child!" and looking up, she saw a
little old man in a queer little carriage drawn by a fat little
pony.

Running down to the gate, Marjorie dropped a curtsy, saying
pleasantly,--

"What did you wish, sir?"

"Just undo that check-rein for me. I am lame, and Jack wants to
drink at your brook," answered the old man, nodding at her till his
spectacles danced on his nose.

Marjorie was rather afraid of the fat pony, who tossed his head,
whisked his tail, and stamped his feet as if he was of a peppery
temper. But she liked to be useful, and just then felt as if there
were few things she could NOT do if she tried, because it was her
birthday. So she proudly let down the rein, and when Jack went
splashing into the brook, she stood on the bridge, waiting to check
him up again after he had drunk his fill of the clear, cool water.

The old gentleman sat in his place, looking up at