At length they came to a high hedge.
“Touch me with your hand,” said Jack to Mary Frances, holding out his arm.
“Touch me with your hand,” said Bet to Eleanor.
“Now, when I say ‘three,’ all jump,” commanded Jack.
“One, two, three!” Over the top of hedge they went as though they had wings, and found themselves in the midst of a wonderful garden.
“Oh,” cried Mary Frances, “I never, never saw so many wild flowers blooming at once.”
“This is a fairy garden,” answered Bouncing Bet, “and the fairies keep it for just such friends as you, who are anxious to learn about wild flowers.”
“But we can tell you only the shortest flower stories to-day.” Jack caught up the conversation. “Just take a seat please, and I’ll begin.”
The girls sat on a pretty rustic bench under a tree, and Jack and Bet leaped upon a branch in front of them. Then Jack began: