The Cockatoo nodded his head very gravely in return, and said,
"What are you all talking about?"
"About Sapphira's coming to pay us a visit and spend the day," said the Walrus, "she can't get out to us, and we can't get in to her, and we were just discussing asking the Flying Pig what he could do to help us, but she says he is locked up."
"You can't get the key?" said the Cockatoo to Sapphira. Sapphira shook head.
"And he can't get out unless you do?"
"No," said Sapphira.
"What are the bars of the cage made of?" asked the Cockatoo, thoughtfully.
"Something shiny that looks like gold, but I don't think it is real gold," answered Sapphira.
"You couldn't possibly bite them through with your beak," said the Walrus, "of course they would be too hard for that."
The Cockatoo gave a little strut of pride. "They would have to be much harder than anything I've seen yet," he said.