The accusation aroused Tilsa. 'We didn't gorge,' she said, 'whoever you are, and we've slept here all night. But here are some crumbs for you, anyway,' and so saying, she broke up a piece of bread and scattered it on the ground.
Immediately a little fiery-crested wren hopped down from a branch of the bush and began to peck among the grass.
'Thank you,' he said when he had finished; 'but if you had done it without being asked it would have been better.'
'We didn't see you,' said Tobene in excuse.
'Doesn't matter,' the wren replied; 'birds is everywhere, and always hungry. Wherever you drop crumbs you may be sure they'll be acceptable. Remember that. Now, is there anything I can do for you?'
'Well,' said Tilsa, 'we want to know the way to the Flamp.'
'Before I tell you,' said the wren, 'you must inform me whether I am speaking to a boy or a girl.'
'I am a girl,' said Tilsa. 'Toby here is a boy.'
'Very well,' the wren answered. 'Then I must talk to Toby. I make it a rule never to join in friendly conversation with women. They wear my feathers in their hats.'
'But men shoot you,' Tobene interposed, angry that Tilsa should be treated in this way.