"Cis," interrupted Carrots at this point, "I don't understand the story." "I'm very sorry," said Cecil, "I didn't notice what a lot of long words there are. Shall I leave off?" "_I_ understand it," said Floss. "Then read it for Floss, please, Cis," said Carrots. "I'll be kite still." "You're a good little boy," said Cecil; "I suppose I may as well finish it as I have begun. We're coming to the fairy part now. Perhaps you'll understand it better. Where was I? Oh yes, 'imagined herself quite hidden from observation. But in this she was mistaken, as my readers will see. 'She walked slowly up and down. "Oh my tongue, my cruel tongue!" she exclaimed, "what trouble it is the cause of! How can I cure myself of my rash speech?" '"Do you in all sincerity wish to cure yourself, Elizabetha?" said a voice beside her; and turning in surprise at its sound, the young girl perceived at a few steps' distance a fair and sweet looking lady, clad in silvery-white, adorned with wreaths of the loveliest flowers. '"Assuredly I do, gracious lady," replied Elizabetha, mastering as well as she was able her surprise, for she felt that this beautiful lady must be a fairy of high degree. '"Then _I_ will help you," said the lady, "but on one condition, hereafter to be explained. You are content to agree to this beforehand?" '"To _anything_, kind fairy," replied the young girl, "if only my unhappy fault can be cured." 'The fairy smiled, "Hasty as ever," she murmured; "however, in _this_ instance, you shall have no reason to regret your words. Put out your tongue, Elizabetha." 'Trembling slightly, the young girl obeyed. But her fears were uncalled for--the fairy merely touched the unruly member with her wand and whispered some words, the meaning of which Elizabetha could not understand. '"Meet me here one week hence," said the fairy; "till then your tongue will obey _my_ commands. And if you then feel you have reason to feel grateful to me, I will call upon you to redeem your promise." 'And before Elizabetha could reply, the lady had disappeared. 'Full of eagerness and curiosity, Elizabetha returned to the house. It was growing dusk, and as she sped along the garden paths something ran suddenly against her, causing her to trip and fall. As she got up she perceived that it was Fido, the dog of her brother Adolphus. The creature came bounding up to her again, full of play and affection. But in her fall Elizabetha had bruised herself; she felt angry and indignant. '"Get off with you, you clumsy wretch," she exclaimed, or meant to exclaim. But to her amazement the words that issued from her mouth were quite otherwise. '"Gently, gently, my poor Fido. Thou didst not mean to knock me down, however," she said in a kind and caressing tone, which the dog at once obeyed. 'Hardly knowing whether she were awake or dreaming, Elizabetha entered the house. She was met by her sister Maria.