human one, though it came only from a bird. No lark this time, however,
but a great black and white creature that flew into the cloak, and began
walking round and round on the edge of it with a dignified stride, one
foot before the other, like any unfeathered biped you could name.

"I haven't the honor of your acquaintance, sir," said the boy politely.

"Ma'am, if you please. I am a mother bird, and my name is Mag, and I
shall be happy to tell you everything you want to know. For I know a
great deal; and I enjoy talking. My family is of great antiquity; we
have built in this palace for hundreds--that is to say, dozens of years.
I am intimately acquainted with the king, the queen, and the little
princes and princesses--also the maids of honor, and all the inhabitants
of the city. I talk a good deal, but I always talk sense, and I daresay
I should be exceedingly useful to a poor little ignorant boy like you."

"I am a prince," said the other gently.

"All right. And I am a magpie. You will find me a most respectable
bird."

"I have no doubt of it," was the polite answer--though he thought in his
own mind that Mag must have a very good opinion of herself. But she was
a lady and a stranger, so of course he was civil to her.

She settled herself at his elbow, and began to chatter away, pointing
out with one skinny claw, while she balanced herself on the other, every
object of interest, evidently believing, as no doubt all its inhabitants
did, that there was no capital in the world like the great metropolis of
Nomansland.