"I have had no sport at all," he said at last. "All the animals were hiding to-day."
"No doubt they were," said the Green Enchantress. "So would you be, if people came hunting you with great horrid spears and things!"
She was really laughing at him, but the King had no idea of it. He only looked at her more solemnly than before.
"What do you know about it?" he asked her.
"Perhaps I know more about this forest than you know about the whole of your kingdom," answered the Green Enchantress; and this time she laughed outright. But the King did not mind in the least.
"Perhaps you do," he said simply. "I never pretended to know much. I do not even know why you are laughing. Will you tell me?"
"I am laughing because you know so little," she answered mysteriously, "and because there is so much I could tell you if it pleased me."
"I have no doubt you could," replied the King. "Will it please you to tell me now?"
"I don't feel inclined to tell you now," said the Green Enchantress.
"How strange!" exclaimed the King. "If I had anything to tell, I should tell it at once; but then, I am not a girl. When will you tell me?"