"
"They could not help doing that," argued Coralie, "and it is their
misfortune that they are here on Sky Island at all. Perhaps if we
keep them with us for a while, they may find a way to return safely
to their own country."
"We'll fly through the sky by-and-by--ki-yi!" yelled the parrot with
startling suddenness.
"Is that true?" asked a Pinky seriously.
"Why, we would if we could," answered Trot. "We flew to this island,
anyhow."
"Perhaps," said another, "if we pushed them off the edge, they could
fly down again. Who knows?"
"We know," answered Cap'n Bill hastily. "We'd tumble, but we
wouldn't fly."
"They'd take a fall--
And that is all!"
observed the parrot, fluttering its wings. There was silence for a
moment while all the Pinkies seemed to think deeply. Then the Queen
asked the strangers to step outside while they counseled together.
Our friends obeyed, and leaving the room they all entered the
courtyard and examined the rows of pink marble statues for nearly an
hour before they were summoned to return to the little room in
Tourmaline's palace.
"We are now ready to vote as to your fate," said the pretty Queen to
them. "We have decided there are but two things for us do to: either
permit you to remain here as honored guests or take you to an edge
of the island and throw you over the bushes into the sky.
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