WASSA CAPTURES THE FAIRY PRINCE. 2II

knowing it, the fairy flower that had wrought
such a wondrous change in the prince’s mood ;
but no sooner was the flower gone than the
prince renewed his struggles with greater
energy than before, screaming and kicking
so that Wassa could scarcely hold him.

“T won’t go back with thee, I say !
I like the land of the Starlit Day.
If thou dost not obey me quick,
Then I will loudly scream and kick.”

At these words of the fairy prince, Wassa’s
stock of patience was wholly exhausted, and
she exclaimed : —

“Kick and scream as loudly as thou canst;
Iam stronger than thou art, and thou shalt not
escape me again; ” and, despite the screaming
and struggling of the naughty prince, she held
him firmly in her arms, and did not release him
until she found King Rondo, when she placed
his son before him, saying angrily : —

“T have brought the prince back safely this
time, but not all the treasures of thy kingdom
would tempt me to take care of him another
day ; for of all the spoiled children I ever saw,
he is the worst, and, after seeing him, I wonder