Through the fire (2)

Through the fire (2)

It was just like a little man, not more than three inches high, dressed from head to foot in orange-scarlet, the colour of flame, and wearing on his head a long pointed cap of the same colour.

" Who are you ? " said Jack.

" I'm a fire-fairy. "

" But I don't believe in fairies, " said Jack.

The little man laughed.
" You'd never have a fire but for us; we light them and keep them in. If I were to go away, your fire would be out in an instant. "

" But how is it you don't get burnt up ? " asked Jack.

" Burnt up ! " said the little man scornfully; " why, we breathe fire and live in it; we should go out at once if we weren't surrounded by it. "

Jack was silent for a little, then he said, " I wonder I never saw you before. "

" I have always been there; so it has been only your own stupidity, " said the gnome.

" I wish I could get into the fire with you, " said Jack; " I should so much like to see what it's like. "

" Ah, that is worth seeing ! " said the fairy, thrusting one arm over a burning coal and skilfully balancing himself in a little jet of flame.
" All round the palace where our King lives there's flame, and the Princess's windows look out on to burning hills. If there is any one who ought to be happy, it's the Princess Pyra. "

" Isn't she happy ? " asked Jack.

The little man shook his head gravely.
" The King and Queen sent her to school for a year in a burning mountain, thinking it would give her a chance to see more of the world than if she always remained at home. It was a great mistake. One day the Water King's son, Prince Fluvius, came and looked over the top of the mountain and saw our Princess; and they fell in love with each other, and the Princess has never been happy since. "

" Why can't they be married ? " asked Jack.

" Why, you ought to be know that it's impossible, " replied the little man.
" They can't go near each other lest he should be dried up or she should be put out. "

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