“But your pinafore?” said Jack.
“Turned into an apron, of course,” replied the fairy, “just as your velvet jacket will turn into a tail-coat when you are old enough.”
“It won’t,” said Jack.
“Yes, it will,” answered the fairy, with an air of superior wisdom. “Don’t argue with me; I am older now than you are—nearly grown up in fact. Put me into your pocket again, and whistle as loudly as you can.”
Jack laughed, put her in, and pulled out another. “Worse and worse,” he said; “why, this was a boy fairy, and now he has a moustache and a sword, and looks as fierce as possible!”
“I think I heard my sister tell you to whistle?” said this fairy, very sternly.
“Yes, she did,” said Jack. “Well, I suppose I had better do it.” So he whistled very loudly indeed.
“Why did you leave off so soon?” said another of them, peeping out.
“Why, if you wish to know,” answered Jack, “it was because I thought something took hold of my legs.”
“Ridiculous child!” cried the last of the four, “how do you think you are ever to get out, if she doesn’t take hold of your legs?”