nd. We do not hate you, as you say the Blueskins do, nor are we
savage or cruel, but we do not want you here, and I am really puzzled
what to do with you."

"Isn't there a law to cover this case?" asked Coralie.

"I do not remember any such law," replied the queen, "but I will search
in the Great Book and see if I can find anything that refers to strange
people entering our land."

"If not," said the woman, "you must make a law. It is your duty."

"I know," answered Tourmaline, "but I hope such a responsibility will
not fall upon my shoulders. These poor strangers are in a very
uncomfortable position, and I wish I could help them to get back to
their own country."

"Thank you," said Trot. "We wish so, too. Haven't you any fairies here?"

"Oh, there are fairies, of course, as there are everywhere," answered
Tourmaline, "but none that we can call to our assistance or command to
do our bidding."

"How about witches?" asked Button-Bright.

"I know of one witch," said Tourmaline thoughtfully, "but she is not
very obliging. She says it makes her head ache to perform witchcraft,
and so she seldom indulges in it. But if there is no other way, I may
be obliged to call upon Rosalie for help. I'll look in the Great Book
first. Meantime, you will go home with Coralie, who will feed you and
give you entertainment. Tomorrow morning come to me again and then I
will decree your fate." The little queen then picked up her stocking
and began to darn the holes in it, and Coralie, without any formal
parting, led the strangers from the miserable palace.

THE SUNRISE TRIBE AND THE SUNSET TRIBE

CHAPTER 15

Although Trot and her comrades were still prisoners, they were far more
comfortable than they had been in the Blue Country. Coralie took them
to her own home, where she lived in great luxury, being one of the
prominent women of the Pinkies. In this country the women seemed fully
as important as the men, and instead of being coddled and petted, they
performed their share of the work, both in public and private affairs,
and were expected to fight in the wars exactly as the men did.

Our friends learned considerable about the Pinkies during that
afternoon and evening, for their hostess proved kind and agreeable and
frankly answered all their questions. Although this half of Sky Island
was no larger than the Blue Country, being no more than two miles
square, it had several hundred inhabitants. These were divided into two