WASSA RETURNS TO FAIRYLAND. 153

and blossoms, and bright-plumaged birds sang
melodiously among the branches.

Not one of the delicious fruits, however,
could Wassa reach. The prince picked them
at his pleasure, and ate of them with great
relish, but the instant Wassa attempted to
touch one, it vanished like magic from her
hand.

For awhile the prince entertained himself
with the gay birds, and climbed at will over
the lower branches of the trees, but, as in the
cave of the fishes, he would not allow Wassa
to touch him. Often she thought him about
to fall headlong from a branch, but he screamed
loudly if she attempted to put her hand on hin,
and always recovered himself in time to pre-
vent a fall.

Wassa was now so weary that she could
hardly keep her head erect, and she endeavored
to persuade her wilful charge to go to bed, but
he refused with loud cries.

“No, to the sea I'll go, I say,
With mermaids there I wish to play,”

cried the unreasonable prince.