“I say—I say——” Tommy had the grace to blush.
“I know!” exclaimed the fairy triumphantly. “You say jerriwhizzum! You shouldn’t! It’s almost swearing! You’re a very bad boy, and I don’t know that you ought to have your wish!”
“But I don’t!” gasped Tommy. “I never said jerriwhizzum in my life.”
“You just said it! Don’t tell me! Don’t tell me! Guilty or not guilty? Guilty! Remove the prisoner!” And the fairy grinned gleefully and maliciously at Tommy.
“But—but I meant I never said it before, sir!”
“Why don’t you say what you mean?” demanded the other evidently disappointed. “Are you or for what purpose did you not? Answer yes or no immediately. No answer. Discharged! Now then, what do you say?”
“Thank you very much,” said Tommy promptly. The fairy smiled.
“Not at all! Not at all! Glad to be of service. You have excellent manners—for a boy. Perhaps in time you’ll get over being so stupid. I did. I used to be awfully stupid. You wouldn’t believe it now, would you?”
“Oh, no, indeed,” cried Tommy. The fairy actually beamed.