And Mahmoud, turning his head resolutely, began carrying to his mouth the stack of hay the Keeper had placed before him. Toots felt his heart torn as by a great sorrow.
"Mahmoud! Mahmoud!" he sobbed, holding out his arms.
But the elephant gave no heed to the boy, and the sparrow had flown away.
Toots burst into tears.
"It is sad," said the Princess, putting her handkerchief to her eyes, "but it is better to be strong like other boys."
And she led him away, and when next Toots and the Princess visited their friends of the Menial World, he was tall, with hair on his lip, and she was slender and very fair; and they looked only in each other's eyes.
