before us to show us the right direction, or else a magical boat will
suddenly come up in the water, and we can ride right to the place."

"Hu! What do we want of a boat?" asked Jimmie. "Can't we swim? I don't
believe much in this fairy business, anyhow."

"Then, if you don't believe, you never will see the fairy prince,"
declared Alice. "Only those who believe in fairies can see them. I know,
for I've read lots of fairy stories." You see Alice was very much in
earnest about this matter.

So the three children swam on together over the pond, and the waters
sparkled in the sun, until you would have thought there were thousands of
diamonds floating on top. The breeze blew just enough to make little
ripples, and altogether it was a very fine day. They went on and on, until
pretty soon they were in a part of the pond they had never before visited.
Tall rushes grew on either side, and the long meadow grass came right down
to the edge of the water and trailed in it, making little green caves in
which to hide. It was cool and quiet there, and very lovely. The ducks
liked it, but still there was no sign of the fairy prince; and the gold
fish had not come to show them the way.

"I don't believe we'll ever see any fairy prince," said Jimmie.

"Oh! but the gold fish promised me," spoke Lulu.

"Hush!" cried Alice. "We must keep very quiet. We may meet the magical
boat, or the golden ball, any minute."

And just then, what should happen, but that they heard a voice singing.