“‘I WISH,’ GRAVELY ANNOUNCED BUD, ‘THAT I MAY BECOME THE BEST KING THAT NOLAND HAS EVER HAD.’”
“One moment, please!” cried Bud, eagerly. “Cannot I have my wish? I waited until I could wish wisely, you know; and then the cloak wouldn’t work.”
With a smile, Lulea threw the cloak over the boy’s shoulders.
“Wish!” said she.
“I wish,” announced Bud, gravely, “that I may become the best king that Noland has ever had!”
“Your wish is granted,” returned the fairy, sweetly; “and it shall be the last wish fulfilled through the magic cloak.”
But now Zixi rushed forward and threw herself upon her knees before the fairy.
“Oh, your Majesty—” she began eagerly; but Lulea instantly silenced her with an abrupt gesture.
“Plead not to me, Queen of Ix!” said the dainty immortal, drawing back from Zixi’s prostrate form. “You know that we fairies do not approve of witchcraft. However long your arts may permit you to live, you must always beware a mirror!”
Zixi gave a sob and buried her pretty face in her hands; and it was Fluff whose tender heart prompted her to raise the witch-queen and try to comfort her.