don't you think?"

And indeed it did so, for the Queen's voice was going still and has
never since stopped.

Shamus took the little dog under his arm and carried him back to
the King of the Little People.

"So far so good," said the King. "Next, bring me the magic
blackbird who sings so sweetly for the King of the Forest."

Off went Shamus again, this time to the forest, where he found the
King sitting under an oak tree.

"What do you here?" said the King, and Shamus told him.

"I'll not part with the bird," said the King, "although I'm a bit
tired of his song. It's too sweet," said he, "and I prefer the
cawing of crows and the croaking of ravens. However, it is much
admired by others, and therefore I shall keep him."

He ordered the bird to be brought and bade it sing, which it did
most beautifully.

"His high notes are a bit hoarse to-day," said the King. "I've
heard him do better."

The bird cast him a murderous glance, and Shamus, who was a singer
himself, felt sore at heart that a good song should receive so
little praise. However, he kept his thoughts to himself, which he
had found a good practice when dealing with kings.

Also, he stayed to supper with the King and afterwards sang and
played, the King every now and then breaking in with a word to say
how it should be done.

"You do not badly for a beginner," said he when Shamus had
finished.

Shamus could have slain him where he stood for those ungracious
words, but he bided his time, pretending to be well-pleased.

When all were asleep that night, Shamus slipped from his bed and
went into the woods where he began to play softly his song of the
wind in the trees. Louder and louder he played, and sure enough,
the blackbird soon came and perched on a tree near by. When he had
done, the bird said, "It is a pleasure to hear a song well-played."

"Sorry was I to hear the words of the King when you sang so sweetly
before him," replied Shamus.

"Little he knows of songs," retorted the bird, "and I'm thinking
I'll go where I'll be appreciated."

"Then come with me," said Shamus. "There are kings and kings, and
some are better than others."

So he told him of the King of the Little People and of the good
things that came to those who sang for him.

"I'll go with you," answered the bi