The Queen Fairy looked politely inquisitive.
"You see, your highness," the Gnome went on to explain, "he has eaten too heartily of gnome cake, and that together with a gobletful of gnome watermelon juice, has caused him much inconvenience, as well as an entire change of form."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the Queen called the Waterfall Fairy, the Brook Fairy and yet another, somewhat smaller, called Violet Water.
"Hasten," she said to them when they had assembled before her, "hasten to make a draft of crystal nectar, that this mortal may drink and assume once more his natural shape."
"Move off!" cried a shrill voice in Ned's ear, and, looking up, he saw a Snapdragon, who seemed to be a sort of policeman for the fairies.
"How can you expect these Ladies-in-Waiting to fulfill their Queen's commands if you stand there blocking the royal exit?"
"Tell your friend to sit him down and wait patiently, for it will take some time to brew the magic draft," said the Queen to the Gnome, who repeated her words to Ned.
He was very glad indeed to rest, for, not being accustomed to carry so much weight on his young legs, he felt very weary and somewhat discouraged.
However, relief was in sight, and, following the suggestion of the good fairy, he threw himself down on a mossy bank and waited.
Before long the three fairies returned, bearing between them a lily filled with a white liquid.