150 Make-Beheve

always spring, because the things that fade
(if there be any) are hidden from sight by
new flowers opening, and new leaves that
unfold themselves. It was to this place
that Jim Smith was to be taken on the
back of the great bird. It was given a
message to him, for the fairies could not
think that the man who had so helped
their prince would be unable to understand
the bird’s talk. To children it seems like
their own language, and most of the people
one likes find it easy enough if ever they
have the luck to get the bird sent to them.
It is perfectly plain to the Artist here, and
you would understand it better than you
understand me.”

Doris had heard too many fairy tales to
take a new one very seriously. But she
was careful not to emphasise the fact that
she knew this was no plain chronicle that
she was hearing. If only her eyes had not
sparkled you might have fancied she took
the whole for Gospel: “Go on,” she said
politely.