n itself is beautiful, had
become tame and insipid. What you really need is some sharp contrast to
enhance the charm of your country, and to keep these three people here
would be a benefit rather than an injury to you."

At this, the Pinkies looked downcast and ashamed, while only Rosalie
the Witch laughed and seemed to enjoy the rebuke. "But," protested
Tourmaline, "the Great Book of Laws says our country shall harbor none
but the Pinkies."

"Does it indeed?" asked the Rainbow's Daughter. "Come, let us return at
once to your City and examine your Book of Laws. I am quite sure I can
find in them absolute protection for these poor wanderers."

They dared not disobey Polychrome's request, so at once they all turned
and walked back to the City. 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.

"I am indeed relieved to have you interpret the Law in this way,"
declared Tourmaline. "I knew it was cruel to throw these poor people
over the edge, but that seemed to us the only thing to be done."

"It was c