“What about Water Lilies?” asked one of the girls.
“Now,” answered Bouncing Bet, “you’ve mentioned another member of the same family as the onion, for by this time, no doubt, you have guessed that I am naming members of the Lily family. Water Lily is one of their greatest beauties. How she ever manages to be so fragrant, so lovely, living in mire and slime, only her Maker knows. She is our dearest Water Baby.”
“Oh, please tell us of more Water Babies,” begged the girls.
“There’s a whole family of big water babies, that you know well,” Jack broke in. “That is the Cattail family.”
“How interesting!” cried Mary Frances. “I thought cats didn’t like water.”
Just then the silvery bell of the fairy clock struck the half-hour and Jack turned toward all the fairy flower folks who were present.
“Time’s up! Thank you, kind friends,” said he, “and now, after a dance, you may go.”
With that, the sweetest music the girls had ever heard began to play, and the fairies began to dance, keeping time perfectly with their tiny feet.
“I’m afraid it’s a dream, and that I’ll wake up,” whispered Eleanor to Mary Frances.