I understand
you to say you were going for some sweet flag root for the fairy prince?"

"Yes," answered Fan Tail, "that's what I said."

"But!" cried Lulu. "A fairy prince! I never knew there were fairies in
this pond!"

"Neither did lots of other persons," replied Fan. "It's supposed to be a
secret, but I'll tell you. And, another thing. There is something strange
about this fairy prince. Do you promise never to tell?"

"Yes," answered Lulu. "Cross my heart I'll never tell," and she lifted one
leg out of the water and crossed her heart as well as she could.

"Then," said the gold fish in a whisper, "If you will come with me I will
show you the fairy prince. That is, after I go to the drug store for him.
But mind, it's a great secret."

So the two swam on together, but Lulu felt sad. And the reason she felt
sad was this: Her sister Alice, who was very romantic--that is, she
continually wanted things to happen that never could happen--Alice always
had wished to see a fairy prince. Now, unless Fan would let Lulu tell the
secret, Alice would never see a prince. And to think he was right in the
same pond with her! Oh, it's dreadful to have a secret you can't tell even
to your own sister, I think.

Lulu sighed so that she made quite a wave in the pond, and when the fish
saw this she knew something was the matter. So she asked Lulu what it was,
and Lulu told her how Alice was just crazy to see a fairy prince, and had
been dreaming of one for ever and ever so long.

"And I've promised not to tell," ended Lulu. "Poor Alice! How disappointed
she will be not to see a real, live fairy!"

"Well, perhaps it is too bad," admitted Fan Tail, and she sneezed so hard
that the water flew up in a spray, just like a fountain. "Perhaps I shall
let you off from your promise," the gold fish went on. "Yes, I think you
may bring Alice to see the fairy prince."

"And Jimmie? Jimmie's my brother. I know he would love to see him, too.
May he come?"

"Yes, you may bring Jimmie also. But mind, I don't want you to be
disappointed. Most fairy princes are disappointing, so don't say I didn't
warn you."

"Oh, that will be all right," spoke Lulu, now quite happy again. "May I
bring them this afternoon?"

"Oh! I suppose so, but no one else, mind. You see the fairy prince is
rather bashful."

So Lulu promised she would bring no one else, and she hurried to the store
and back again. Fan Tail, the gold fish, went to the drug store for the
s