"Turn around so we can get upon your backs," said Rosalie.
"Not yet," answered the Frog King in a gruff, deep voice. "You must
first take that insulting umbrella out of my dominions."
"Why, what is there about my umbrella that seems insulting?" asked
Button-Bright in surprise.
"It is an intimation that you don't like our glorious climate and
object to our delightful fog and are trying to ward off its soulful,
clinging kisses," replied the Frog King in an agitated voice. "There
has never been an umbrella in my kingdom before, and I'll not allow
one in it now. Take it away at once!"
"But we can't," explained Trot. "We've got to take the umbrella with
us to the Pink Country. We'll put it down if you like, an' cross the
bank in this drizzle--which may be clingin' an' soulful, but is too
wet to be comfort'ble. But the umbrella's got to go with us."
"It can't go another inch," cried the obstinate frog with an angry
croak, "nor shall any of your people advance another step while that
insulting umbrella is with you."
Trot turned to Rosalie. "What shall we do?" she asked.
"I really do not know," replied the Witch, greatly perplexed.
"Can't you MAKE the frogs let us through?" inquired the boy.
"No, I have no power over the frogs," Rosalie answered. "They
carried us before as a favor, but if the king now insists that we
cannot pass with the umbrella, we must go back to the Blue Country
or leave your umbrella behind us.
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