152 Make-Beleve

“Yes?” for interjection. She also turned
now to the Artist, and awaited his reply.

“Oh, if you go by appearances alone,
the bird may frighten you a bit. But
his manners are magnificent, and his
voice os

“Yes, his voice!” interrupted the
Visitor. ‘His voice is charming, and if
you can understand his message it is ex-
ceedingly pleasant to hear, for he has many
tales to tell of the city out of which he
comes. But, unfortunately, Jim Smith
could not understand. However, he could
not stop in the water all day—for the
owner of the cresses might come, and he
would be no more merciful than the bird
was likely to be—so he sought dry land,
keeping his eyes upon the bird.

“This is what the bird said: Why did
you stop in the water ? The fairtes, grate-
ful for the delivery of therr brother from
- death and shame, have sent me to convey you
to the City Beautiful, where a palace ws
made ready.”