“I don’t understand!” he finally said, in a weak voice.
“‘YOU WISHED FOR US, AND HERE WE ARE,’ DECLARED THE SIX.”
“You wished for us, and here we are,” declared the six, once more bowing low before him.
“I know,” said Jikki. “But I’ve often wished for many other things—and never got a single one of the wishes before!”
The young men did not attempt to explain this curious fact. They stood in a straight row before their master, as if awaiting his orders. One held the shoe Jikki had dropped, another its mate, still another the plumed hat, and a fourth the tray of dishes.
“You see,” remarked Jikki, shaking his head sadly at the six, “I’m only a servant myself.”
“You are our master, sir!” announced the young men, their voices blended into one.
“I wish,” said Jikki, solemnly, “you were all back where you came from!” And then he paused to see if his wish also would be fulfilled. But no; the magic cloak conferred the fulfilment of but one wish upon its wearer, and the half a dozen servants remained standing rigidly before him.
Jikki arose with a sigh.