[Illustration: Maisie finds a pocketbook.]

"Who could have lost it?" she asked herself.

Maisie was going to run to the house to show her mother what she had
found when she caught sight of a boy lying face downward upon the ground
beside the road.

[Illustration: Maisie caught sight of a boy lying face downward upon the
ground.]

She ran to the boy and knelt beside him. Touching him lightly upon the
cheek with a wisp of grass, she said:

"Look up, boy. What is the matter?"

"I've lost my father's pocketbook," sobbed the boy. "I drove ten sheep
to market and the man paid me for them. But I dare not go home because
I've lost the money."

"Do you believe in fairies?" asked Maisie.

"What good are fairies?" replied the boy.

"Maybe they would bring you good luck," said Maisie.

"I don't believe it," said the boy.

"Suppose you try them. Close your eyes."