And, in a moment, the Blue Children were crowding round the tall old man
And, lifting his eyes to the sky, with a look of discouragement, he added:
"You won't live long!"
And the movement went on. Each Child, when denied, returned to his employment with a downcast air. When one of them was accepted, the others looked at him with envy. Now and then, something happened, as when the hero who was to fight against injustice refused to go. He clung to his playfellows, who called out to Time:
"He doesn't want to, Sir!"
"No, I don't want to go," cried the little fellow, with all his might. "I would rather not be born."
"And quite right too!" thought Tyltyl, who was full of common-sense and who knew what things are like on earth.
For people always get beatings which they have not deserved; and, when they have done wrong, you may be sure that the punishment will fall on one of their innocent friends.
"I wouldn't care to be in his place," said our friend to himself. "I would rather hunt for the Blue Bird, any day!"