"Yes," said her Majesty sharply. "You said there were four and twenty blackbirds baking in a pie, didn't you? Just go and see if it's done, I'm getting hungry."
"But where is the king? You can't have it without him?"
"Never mind him. Let me have the pie."
"Was it from the king's counting house my sixpence came?"
"Of course," said the Queen testily. "Now go and see about that pie."
Nellie went. It was a most delicious pie, crisp and brown. It made her mouth water to look at it.
"I do hope the Queen won't be greedy and want to eat it all herself," she thought, as she took it in and put it on the table.
"Present it on one knee," commanded the Queen.
Nellie did so. The Queen seized the knife and cut open the pie. All the blackbirds began singing so sweetly. It was the loveliest concert you ever heard in your life.
"Now that's what I call a most dainty dish," said her Majesty, looking much pleased.