“Why,” replied Kitey, “I did tell you, long ago, when you first found me in the Passage.”
“No, you didn’t,” said Harry. “You simply said that elves were afraid of the animal.”
“But Gnomes are elves,” returned Kitey. “They are bad elves, it is true; but all elves, good or bad, are afraid of toads. I thought of course you knew that all the time.”
“I wish I had known it,” said the boy, “for it would have saved us all that fighting. I could easily have settled the old Gnomes at the very beginning.”
“What shall we do with Cattisack and Grumpy?” inquired Wamby.
“Make them common Pin Elves,” said Harry; “then they will have no power and influence to stir up trouble again.”
Just then a messenger announced that the banquet was served, so they repaired to the Grand Royal Reception Hall.
Harry hardly recognized it as the same room he had recently left. The golden throne, the marble steps of the dais, and everything else had been furbished and polished to look like new. Costly rugs of white mouse-skin nearly covered the floor. The lofty ceiling was newly festooned with many-colored gems that gave a rare and beautiful light. In the centre of the Hall were long rows of tables covered with all kinds of tempting viands in dishes of pure gold. The royal table was distinguished from the others by being placed upon a low platform, and also by the exquisite precious stones that adorned every one of the golden dishes.
At the head of this table, where Harry was asked to seat himself, was a large pot-pie. The boy examined it curiously, and asked Wamby what it was.
“It is a blackbird pie,” said Wamby, “especially prepared for you. I have heard that mortals consider it a dainty dish to set before a king.”