life, for I know what it gives; therefore he shall have my
wish-ring. And you?

FAIRY. I daresay that gift is a good one, but when once he has got
all that he wished for, he will have made his journey like the
blind; therefore I shall give him a gift which will show him
matter's face value--I shall give him good company on the way.

ELF. Feminine?

FAIRY. Naturally.

ELF. You're a wise one! No--now you shall take charge of the lad
and see that he gets away.

FAIRY. But how? He fears and obeys his father.

ELF. Fiddlesticks! Do your hokus-pokus and show him all the glories
down there, in the Christmas-bedecked homes. Then it will go fast
enough!

FAIRY. Do you think so?

ELF. I know the young. Here's my ring--and now to business!

FAIRY. Is it right to play with human destiny?

ELF. We only play with human beings, their destinies we do not
control. Soon or late, the boy will go out into the world, and he
is better equipped than many who have faced life before him. When