“From nineteen several spots. Of course I did.”
“Well then,” said Edwin.
“You mean that you’re tired of having things happen when you do your sums correctly? You prefer the old way!”
“Yes, please,” said Edwin, “if you’re sure you don’t mind? I know you meant it for kindness, but, oh, it is most beastly, when you get into the thick of it.” He was thinking of the elephants, I fancy.
“I only did it to please you,” said the Fairy pouting. “I’ll make everything as it was before. Does that please you? And there’s your third wish. You know we always give three wishes. It’s customary in the profession. What would you like?”
Edwin had not attended properly to this speech, so he had only heard “as it was before” and then “What would you like?”
So he said, “I should like to see you again some day.”
The Arithmetic Fairy smiled at him, and her beauty grew more and more radiant. She had not expected this. “I made sure you would ask for a pony or a cricket bat or a pair of white mice,” she said. “You shall see me again, Edwin. Goodbye.”
