“Dear, kind, pretty Fairy,” Edwin began again.
“That’s better,” said the Fairy.
“Didn’t you hear all I was saying to you yesterday, when the water was dripping from the ceiling all over the room?”
“From nineteen several spots. Of course I did.”
“Well then,” said Edwin.
“You mean that you’re tired of having things happen when you do your sums correctly? You prefer the old way!”
“Yes, please,” said Edwin, “if you’re sure you don’t mind? I know you meant it for kindness, but, oh, it is most beastly, when you get into the thick of it.” He was thinking of the elephants, I fancy.
“I only did it to please you,” said the Fairy pouting. “I’ll make everything as it was before. Does that please you? And there’s your third wish. You know we always give three wishes. It’s customary in the profession. What would you like?”
Edwin had not attended properly to this speech, so he had only heard “as it was before” and then “What would you like?”