The play progressed. In the second scene, Tommy and Mary, eager to find Brownies who would do all the housework for their family, set off to the woods to seek advice of the wise old Owl.
Vevi, thoroughly enjoying her role of owl, hooted and whoo’d and advised the children that they could find the “Brownies” only by going to the north side of the pond when the moon was shining.
“Say these words,” she directed in her most owlish voice: “‘Twist me, and turn me and show me the Elf; I looked into the water, and saw--’
“Then,” she further instructed, “at the moment you gaze into the water, think of a word that will rhyme with Elf, and complete the verse.”
In the next scene of the playlet, Sunny and Hanny as Tommy and Mary, were shown at the pond. Gazing down into a circular mirror which represented the water, they saw their own reflections. Sunny recited:
“‘Twist me, and turn me and show me the Elf; I looked into the water, and saw--’”
According to the story, the children then knew that they were the real Brownies. The next and final scene showed them doing cheerfully the work of the family. The playlet ended with Connie as the old grandmother, declaring that children were a blessing, not a burden.
Everyone said the show had been a great success.
“I didn’t forget my lines either,” Vevi laughed in relief. “Not a single hoot!”
The time now had come for Hanny formally to be invested as a Brownie Scout. She was sent from the room while the other girls gathered in a circle about the big library table.
At the proper moment, Miss Gordon told Hanny she might return.
In the story room, the lights had been switched off. For a minute Hanny was bewildered as she came in.
Then Vevi took her hand and led her to the big table. The circular mirror, which represented a pool of water, had been placed in the very center.
“Who comes to the fairy wood?” asked Miss Gordon. “I do,” answered the little girl. “Hanny.”
“To be a Brownie Scout,” replied Hanny earnestly.
“Why, Hanny?” asked Miss Gordon. “Why do you wish to become a Brownie?”
Hanny drew a deep breath. For a second, she couldn’t think of anything to say. Then the words came with a rush.
“I want to be a Brownie because I love America!” she cried, her eyes shining. “I want to live here always. I like Rosedale too and all the girls.”
