"I should say not," said the Widow Pickle; "quite the opposite, indeed, and I am very glad to have my children thus improve their education." "There is one thing I should like to ask," said Zuzu, "and I have often wondered about it." "And what is that?" asked the Private Secretary. "I wonder how the fishes ever go to sleep." [Illustration: "She scoured the moon with polish" _Page 26_] "That," replied the Private Secretary, "is something over which many wise men have also wondered. I have often heard the Banjo on our sea journeys express the same curiosity. Perhaps it will tell us about that." At his suggestion the Banjo sang a little song. HOW THE LITTLE FISHES SLEEP I often wonder how and where The little fishes sleep; They do not need to braid their hair Before they slumber deep, But possibly each little fish Puts on a little gown And goes to bed--and Oh, I wish I knew where it lies down. I wonder if it tumbles round And kicks the covers off And wakes at every little sound, Or--does it have a cough? I think it would, for mamma says, When she turns down my lamp I'll get the croup one of these days From staying in the damp. But maybe little fishes go To sleep as you or I; Waves rock the cradle to and fro And sing a bye-lo-bye. If they wear gowns, though--goodness me! When washing-day is here Where do they dry things in the sea? I wish you'd make that clear! [Illustration: How the Fishes Sleep] "Humph! The Banjo doesn't seem to know any more about it than we do," said Zuzu, not fully satisfied. "No," the Private Secretary replied; "that is true; but for some of these hard questions we may have to go to the Fairies for answer, and it is some distance yet before we get anywhere near the Fairy country." "How far have we gone now, sir?" asked Zuzu. "That," replied the Private Secretary, "is difficult to explain, for you must see that we do not measure distances as you do. However, I should think it would take us perhaps three or four more of what you call your hours before we are within sight of the Island of Gee-Whiz. We must first pass the Agalone Mountains. Indeed, it seems to me that I see that mountain range now beginning to appear before us." [Illustration: The Goroo] [Illustration] CHAPTER VIII THE EXPLOSION OF THE SUBMARINE EXPRESS