The Princesses seemed uncertain what reply to make to this speech and began whispering together.  Finally, Indigo said to Trot, “We do not think it matters what you were in your own country, for having left there you have forfeited your rank.  By recklessly intruding into our domain, you have become a slave, and being a slave you must obey us or suffer the consequences.”

“What cons’quences?” asked the girl.

“Dare to disobey us and you will quickly find out,” snapped Indigo, swaying her head from side to side on its long, swan-like neck like the pendulum of a clock.

“I don’t want any trouble,” said Trot gravely.  “We came to Sky Island by mistake and wanted to go right away again; but your father wouldn’t let us.  It isn’t our fault we’re still here, an’ I’m free to say you’re a very dis’gree’ble an’ horrid lot of people with no manners to speak of, or you’d treat us nicely.”

“No impertinence!” cried Indigo savagely.

“Why, it’s the truth,” replied Trot.

Indigo made a rush and caught Trot by both shoulders.  The Princess was twice the little girl’s size, and she shook her victim so violently that Trot’s teeth rattled together.  Then Princess Cobalt came up and slapped one side of the slave’s face, and Princess Turquoise ran forward and slapped the other side.  Cerulia gave Trot a push one way, and Sapphire pushed her the other way, so the little girl was quite out of breath and very angry when finally her punishment ceased.  She had not been much hurt, though, and she was wise enough to understand that these Princesses were all cruel and vindictive, so that her safest plan was to pretend to obey them.

“Now then,” commanded Princess Indigo, “go and feed my little blue dog that crows like a rooster.”

“And feed my pretty blue cat that sings like a bird,” said Princess Azure.

“And feed my soft, blue lamb that chatters like a monkey,” said Princess Cobalt.

“And feed my poetic blue parrot that barks like a dog,” said Princess Sapphire.

“And feed my fuzzy blue rabbit that roars like a lion,” said Princess Turquoise.

“And feed my lovely blue peacock that mews like a cat,” said Princess Cerulia.

“Anything else?” asked Trot, drawing a long breath.

“Not until you have properly fed our pets,” replied Azure with a scowl.

“What do they eat, then?”

“Meat!”

“Milk!”

“Clover!”

“Seeds!”

“Bread!”

“Carrots!”

“All right,” said Trot, “where do you keep the menagerie?”

“Our pets are in our boudoirs,” said Indigo harshly.  “What a little fool you are!”

“Perhaps,” said Trot, pausing as she was about to leave the room, “when I grow up I’ll be as big a fool as any of you.”