The French Frog tiptoed forward.
"I have heard your singing," said the King Toad, "and your singing has annoyed me intensely."
There was a queer strained silence.
The Natterjack turned to conceal his face, and saw the Green Toad perched above him. He too was struggling to keep countenance. Beside him was the Salamander, wreathed in smiles.
The Green Toad, too, was Struggling to keep Countenance
"Your singing has annoyed me intensely," repeated the King Toad.
Words failed the French Frog, who could only gulp.
"Sire," he burst out at length, "it was a love-song."
"A love-song!" said the King Toad, "a love-song! and what nice-minded English frog would listen to your love-song?"