Upon this the king and queen again held out their hands and the children kissed them and then followed Rose-Petal and her charming sisters out of the throne room.
As the children had no wings the fairies very politely refrained from using theirs and all walked together out into the gardens where they played games and ate delicious fruits and little cakes made of honey and nuts, and drank something delightful, they knew not what it was, from crystal cups.
At last the sun began to sink into the West and the children's eyelids were ready to sink too, from all they had done this wonderful day. They were very, very happy as each gathered an orange flower.
Then Rose-Petal led them out past the emerald pond, with its snowy swans, and the doves again alighted softly on their heads and arms.
Iona turned the key in the palace gate, and they passed through. Then she locked it again. The children took a last look at the little golden key and felt sorry for the children who had carried it away and therefore could never go back again.
They walked on to the bank of the river and there floated a charming, opal shell, with pink velvet cushions, and harnessed to it by rosy ribbons were four swans. Pierre and Iona clapped their hands with joy at the sight.
"Their majesties' own water chariot," said Rose-Petal. "You will have a pleasant journey."
"But must we say good-bye to you, dear Rose-Petal?" asked Iona.
"I will meet you at the Wapsipinicon," she answered with a little nod, and mounting on her bright wings she disappeared into the air.
Pierre and Iona stepped on board the boat and seated themselves on the soft cushions under the opal-colored canopy formed by the curling ends of the lovely shell, and with a smooth motion the swans moved forward, between the flowery banks of the stream.