e asked brightly.

"Oddly enough," said Udo, cheering up a little, "banana fritters.
Have you ever kept any animal who lived entirely on banana fritters?"

"Never," smiled the Princess.

"Well, that's the animal I probably am." He sighed and added, "There
were one or two animals I wasn't." For a little while he seemed to be
revolving bitter memories, and then went on, "I don't suppose any of
you here have any idea how very prickly thistles are when they are
going down. Er--may I try a watercress sandwich? It doesn't suit the
tail, but it seems to go with the ears." He took a large bite and
added through the leaves, "I hope I don't bore you, Princess, with my
little troubles."

Hyacinth clasped his paw impulsively.

"My dear Prince Udo, I'm only longing to help. We must think of some
way of getting this horrible enchantment off you. There are so many
wise books in the library, and my father has composed a spell
which--oh, I'm sure we shall soon have you all right again."

Udo took another sandwich.

"Very good of you, Princess, to say so. You understand how annoying a
little indisposition of this kind is to a man of my temperament." He
beckoned to Wiggs. "How do you make these?" he asked in an undertone.

Gracefully undulating, Belvane rose from her seat.

"Well," she said, "I must go and see that the stable----" she broke
off in a pretty confusion--"How _silly_ of me, I mean the Royal
Apartment is prepared. Have I your Royal Highness's leave to
withdraw?"

She had.

"And, Wiggs, dear, you too had better run along and see if you can
help. You may leave the watercress sandwiches," she added, as Wiggs
hesitated for a moment.

With a grateful look at her Royal Highness Udo helped himself to
another one.

CHAPTER XII

WE DECIDE TO WRITE TO UDO'S FATHER

"Now, my dear Princess," said Udo, as soon as they were alone. "Let
me know in what way I can help you."

"Oh, Prince Udo," said Hyacinth earnestly, "it _is_ so good of you to
have come. I feel that this--this little accident is really my fault
for having asked you here."

"Not at all, dear lady. It is the sort of little accident that might
have happened to anybody, anywhere. If I can still be of assistance
to you, pray inform me. Though my physical powers may not for the
moment be quite what they were, I flatter myself that my mental
capabilities are in no way diminished." He took another bite of his
sandwich and wagged his head