As it was still muddy underfoot,
the Rainbow's Daughter took a cloak from one of the women, partly
rolled it, and threw it upon the ground. Then she stepped upon it
and began walking forward. The cloak unrolled as she advanced,
affording a constant carpet for her feet and for those of the others
who followed her. So, being protected from the mud and wet, they
speedily gained the City and in a short time were all gathered in
the low room of Tourmaline's palace, where the Great Book of Laws
lay upon a table.
Polychrome began turning over the leaves, while the others all
watched her anxiously and in silence. "Here," she said presently,
"is a Law which reads as follows: 'Everyone in the Pink Country is
entitled to the protection of the Ruler and to a house and a good
living, except only the Blueskins. If any of the natives of the Blue
Country should ever break through the Fog Bank, they must be driven
back with sharp sticks.' Have you read this Law, Tourmaline?"
"Yes," said the Queen, "but how does that apply to these strangers?"
"Why, being in the Pink Country, as they surely are, and not being
Blueskins, they are by this Law entitled to protection, to a home
and good living. The Law does not say 'Pinkies,' it says any who are
in the Pink Country."
"True," agreed Coralie, greatly pleased, and all the other Pinkies
nodded their heads and repeated, "True, true!"
"The rose is red, the violet's blue,
The law's the thing, because it's true!"
cried the parrot.
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