"Can't they talk?" he enquired of Ephel.
"Yes," said the Messenger, "they all know how to talk, but when they speak they say nothing that is important. They are brainless, silly creatures, for the most part, and are only interesting because they are beautiful to look at. The King likes to watch the flashes of color as they fly about, and so he permits them to live in this place. They are very happy here, in their way, for there is no one to chase them or to stick pins through them when they are caught."
Just then a chime of bells tinkled far away in the distance, and the Royal Messenger listened intently and then said:
"It is my summons to his Majesty the King. We must return at once to the palace."
So they flew into the air again and proceeded to cross the lovely gardens and pass through the avenues of jewelled trees and the fragrant orchards and groves until they came at last to the royal bower of white flowers.
The child-larks entered with their guide and found the gorgeous King Bird of Paradise still strutting on his perch on the golden bush and enjoying the admiring glances of his courtiers and the ladies of his family. He turned as the children entered and addressed his Messenger, saying:
"Well, my dear Ephel, have you shown the strangers all the sights of our lovely land?"
"Most of them, your Majesty," replied Ephel.
"What do you think of us now?" asked the King, turning his eyes upon the lark-children.
"It must be the prettiest place in all the world!" cried Twinkle, with real enthusiasm.