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"Very true," said the Old Owl, "and then you will have to be up early to-morrow. I think I had better take you home." "I know the way, thank you," said Tommy. "I didn't say show you the way, I said take you carry you," said the Owl. "Lean against me." "I'd rather not, thank you," said Tommy. "Lean against me," screamed the Owl. "Oohoo! how obstinate boys are to be sure!"
It was unfathomable feathers and fluffiness. "Now, what do you want?" said the Owl. "Please," said Tommy, who felt rather re-assured, "can you tell me where to find the Brownies, and how to get one to come and live with us?" "Oohoo!" said the Owl, "that's it, is it? I know of three Brownies." "Hurrah!" said Tommy. "Where do they live?" "In your house," said the Owl. Tommy was aghast.
"I expected to see a Brownie," said Tommy; "you told me so." "And what are Brownies like, pray?" inquired the Owl. "The one Granny knew was a useful little fellow, something like a little man," said Tommy. "Ah!" said the Owl, "but you know at present this one is an idle little fellow, something like a little man. Oohoo! oohoo! Are you quite sure you didn't see him?"
If they only knew how every one would love them if they made themselves useful!" "Oohoo! oohoo!" said the Owl. "Now pay attention. When you have got so far, look into the water, and at the same moment you will see the Brownie, and think of a word that will fill up the couplet, and rhyme with the first line. If either you do not see the Brownie, or fail to think of the word, it will be of no use."
"Don't you remember me?" said Tommy pitifully. "I did everything you told me. Won't you even say good-bye?" and he went up towards her. The Owl's eyes contracted, she shuddered a few tufts of fluff into the shed, shook her wings, and shouting "Oohoo!" at the top of her voice, flew out upon the moor. The Tailor and his sons rushed out to watch her.
"They might be up and sweep the house, and light the fire, and spread the table, and that sort of thing, before Father came down. Besides, they could see what was wanted. The Brownies did all that in Granny's mother's young days. And then they could tidy the room, and fetch the turf, and pick up my chips, and sort Granny's scraps. Oh! there's lots to do." "So there is," said the Owl. "Oohoo!
"Then we don't want them," said he. "What is the use of having Brownies if they do nothing to help us?" "Perhaps they don't know how, as no one has told them," said the Owl. "I wish you would tell me where to find them," said Tommy; "I could tell them." "Could you?" said the Owl. "Oohoo! oohoo!" and Tommy couldn't tell whether she were hooting or laughing. "Of course I could," he said.
"Go," said the Echo. "Will you mind your own business, and go to sleep?" said Tommy. "I am going; I said I should." And back he went. There sat the Old Owl as before. "Oohoo!" said she, as Tommy climbed up. "What did you see in the mere?" "I saw nothing but myself," said Tommy indignantly. "And what did you expect to see?" asked the Owl.
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