Tony had been dazed, but this was a jolt which showed in his expression. The Queen laughed.
“The djinns have their own foods,” she explained. “But no human being can eat of their dainties. When I was first made prisoner the king used to raid caravans to get food for me, but it was very tedious! So now I have my own garden, and someone—I think it was Abdul—stole chickens for me. When you came as a guest they asked me for food for you, and I gave it. Of course. You probably did not notice, but no matter what you pointed to in all the dishes they paraded before you, you actually got—” she chuckled—“no more than flesh of chicken, and eggs, and cheese and dates and salad! That was all I had for you.”
Tony said: “Majesty, I think I ought to make some appropriate speech. But I don’t know what to say!”
She busied herself at the fireplace, and Ghail went quickly to help. The two of them gave Tony his coffee, and a melon, and eggs. It went very well.
“You are going to defeat the djinns, Ghail tells me,” the Queen said practically. “She assures me you will destroy them to the last small djinnling. I hope not.”
Tony goggled at her. “But—”
“Oh, I know!” said the Queen. “I am their prisoner, and so on. But in their way they’re rather cute.” Tony stared.
“I’ve lived among them four years,” the Queen said briskly. “I’ve had them around all the time. They’re a little bit like men, and a good deal more like children, and quite a lot like kittens. I suppose you’d say that I’ve made pets of them. Of course they won’t let me go home, but it isn’t bad.”
Tony chewed and swallowed, and then said carefully: “I’m afraid I don’t quite understand.”
The Queen shrugged. “They’re terribly vain, like men. If possible, more so. You can do anything with a djinn if you flatter him. They’re terrible show-offs, like children. My maid outside can wind Abdul around her little finger any time. He loves to show off his transformations, and she watches him. The other djinns won’t. And they’re like kittens because they’re so completely selfish. But that’s very much like men and children, too.”