"I found the King in his counting-house, industriously counting out his money. He left off when he saw me, though, and came forward to greet me heartily.
"'The Queen, bless her! will be as delighted to see you as I am,' said he; 'we'll go and find her. I fancy I know where she is.'
"He led the way at once to the parlour, and there we found her Majesty looking sweet and amiable as ever.
"She was rather confused at being discovered in the act of eating some bread and honey.
"'I am suffering from a very poor appetite,' her Majesty explained, after she had made me welcome, 'and have eaten nothing at all to-day, and just now I fancied a little honey, for which I have a great liking.'
"'I hope your Majesty is not unwell, that your appetite is so feeble?' I inquired with great solicitation.
"'Oh no!' replied the Queen, with an effort at brightness; 'I'm a little worried, that's all.'
"'We're all worried, more or less,' chimed in the King. 'You remember that blackbird pie, don't you?'
"'Yes, your Majesty, of course I do,' said I, smiling at the recollection.
"'Well, those birds, the ones which were put into it, have become very spiteful and dangerous. They have taken to haunting the precincts of the Castle, and attack the servants when they go into the garden, particularly the laundry maids; for, when they go into the garden to hang out the clothes, they have to use both hands to do so, and then these wretched birds fly down and peck at their noses. One poor creature lost hers altogether, with the result that all of the maids have given notice, and we can't get laundry maids for love or money.'