"Why, we too have a message."
"Indeed. Can you carry the King's message?"
"None better, sir," said the shorter of the pair, with a shrewd twinkle in his eye. "For we don't understand it."
"Is it difficult then?"
"Nay, it's so simple as to see without meaning."
"What, so simple—but your bottle is empty! Come, another?"
"Indeed no, Monsieur."
"A last bottle between us! I'll not be denied." And I called for a fourth.
When we were well started on the drinking of it, I asked carelessly,
"And what's your message?"