Do you understand?"
"No," said Button-Bright.
Then the Boolooroo told one of the soldiers to take the boy to the
shoeblue den and have him instructed in his duties, and the soldiers
promptly obeyed and dragged Button-Bright away to the end of the
palace where the servants lived.
GHIP-GHISIZZLE PROVES FRIENDLY
CHAPTER 7
The Royal Palace was certainly a magnificent building, with large
and lofty rooms and superb furnishings, all being in shades of blue.
The soldier and the boy passed through several broad corridors and
then came to a big hall where many servants were congregated. These
were staring in bewilderment at Cap'n Bill, who had been introduced
to them by Captain Ultramarine. Now they turned in no less surprise
to examine the boy, and their looks expressed not only astonishment
but dislike.
The servants were all richly attired in blue silk liveries, and they
seemed disposed to resent the fact that these strangers had been
added to their ranks. They scowled and muttered and behaved in a
very unfriendly way, even after Captain Ultramarine had explained
that the newcomers were merely base slaves, and not to be classed
with the free royal servants of the palace.
One of those present, however, showed no especial enmity to
Button-Bright and Cap'n Bill, and this Blueskin attracted the boy's
notice because his appearance was so strange.
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