"I am going to the drug store for some sweet flag root for the fairy
prince," and once more the fish girl turned a double somersault and opened
her mouth wide, for she had a cold in her head, in consequence of being so
wet. But as it is very difficult to write a story and make a gold fish
talk as if she had a cold in the head, I have decided to make Fan talk
just ordinarily. You never would have known anything about the cold if I
hadn't mentioned it, so it's just as well.

"Pardon me," said Lulu, just like a telephone girl, "but did 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