Shame-faced, he paddled back to shore. "Be charitable, Shrew-mouse, be charitable. I did my best." The Shrew-mouse looked at him inquiringly. "Never mind, Natterjack," she said, "I'll fetch him. It's hardly the right thing to do, but still----" [Illustration: THE SHREW-MOUSE DREW ALL FOUR FEET TOGETHER AND SLITHERED EEL-WISE OFF THE LEDGE] She climbed a ledge, drew all four feet together, and slithered off it eel-wise. She swam a yard and dived. The water closed like oil upon her going. Ten seconds passed and then she reappeared. "He's coming, Natterjack," she said, and landed close beside him. The French Frog shot up like a cork, and half of him splashed clear above the surface. He took two strokes to reach the shore, and came out moist and shiny. He bristled with apologies--"It was unpardonable. He was altogether desolated. That a lady should have had to dive for him. Alas! he had been dreaming, and his dream, like all his dreams----" [Illustration: HE BRISTLED WITH APOLOGIES] The Shrew-mouse cut him short. "The King Toad has heard your singing," she said, "and has commanded your presence. The Natterjack will guide you." Ambition strove with gallantry, and, for a time, the French Frog wavered. "And have I your permission, Shrew-mouse?" he said, at last. "Please go," said she, "then come and tell me all about it." So both departed. The Shrew-mouse watched them out of sight, then swam to open water. She wished the Rat to see her next. * * * * * "Sire," said the Natterjack, "it is my privilege to inform you that I have been successful." The King Toad made no answer. His eyes turned from the Natterjack to his companion, and, after an appropriate pause, he signed with one fore-foot. The French Frog tiptoed forward. "I have heard your singing," said the King Toad, "and your singing has annoyed me intensely." There was a queer strained silence. The Natterjack turned to conceal his face, and saw the Green Toad perched above him. He too was struggling to keep countenance. Beside him was the Salamander, wreathed in smiles. [Illustration: THE GREEN TOAD, TOO, WAS STRUGGLING TO KEEP COUNTENANCE] "Your singing has annoyed me intensely," repeated the King Toad. Words failed the French Frog, who could only gulp. "Sire," he burst out at length, "it was a love-song." "A love-song!" said the King Toad, "a love-song! and what nice-minded English frog would listen to _your_ love-song?" [Illustration: HIS INSIDE WAS RED-HOT] The French Frog might have scored a point, but prudence checked him. "I am a poor exile, Sire," he said, "and, when I sing, my heart is far away." "So will your voice be, soon," said the King affably. "Come out, fire-toads." The fire-toads squirmed from underneath him. The French Frog eyed them greedily. There are worse eatables than little toads. "You may have the big one," said the King. "Sire!" screamed Bombinatrix.