"This," said the Widow, "is certainly a strange country—not that I wish to criticize in the least, your Majesty. But I was just thinking that a world without syrup is very singular indeed."
"Well, you will understand," said the King of Gee-Whiz, "we who live on this Island are not very different from Fairies. At least, we are dependent upon the Fairies for all we eat and wear and use. They are our work people, and we have to take what they give us and be thankful. Now, I suppose the Fairies have never considered that syrup was necessary for us."
Zuzu and Lulu listened with the greatest interest, and when the king spoke of Fairies they could not restrain themselves.
"Oh, your Majesty," said Lulu, "have you ever really seen a Fairy?"
"Have I?" said the King. "Thousands of them. We get all our gold from them—when their pretty Queen, Zulena, is good enough to grant our wishes. Fairies! Why, they are as common as leaves upon the trees. Are there none in your country, my Princess?"
"None," said Lulu, "only I have always so much wished to see just one Fairy."
"If that is all you wish," said the King of Gee-Whiz, "there will not be the least trouble about it. We got this Enchanted Banjo from the Fairies, and I am sure it will be obliging enough to tell you about so common a place as Fairy-land. Won't you, Banjo?"
The Banjo nodded its head, and presently began to play.
FAIRY-LAND AFAR
I know where is Fairy-land,
Little one with wond'ring eyes.
Often, often, do you stand
Gazing where the hills arise,
Dreaming of the land that lies
Somewhere, where the fairies are
Past the ending of the skies—
Fairy-land afar.