"Why, Pippity," I cried, "we are at the bottom! Up there is our
palace!"
"Of course it is!" shrieked the parrot, in a tone which sounded more
like a shout of joy than the voice of a bird; and, clinging to one of a
number of long grass stems that could now be distinctly seen hanging
from the top, he climbed up with bill and claws as handsomely as any
parrot ever did the like, crying as he went:
"Come along, Frank! We're all right!" Grilly was now down, too; and,
reaching me his hand, he would fain have tried to pull me to the top.
But I gave him to understand that I could very well take care of
myself, and up I went by means of hands and feet--the monkey all
capers, the parrot all talk, the man thankful--and when we stood in our
grand old palace once more, three more thoroughly delighted creatures
never were seen.
"Now, Pippity and Grilly," said I, "bring something to eat. Search our
broad garden for the best. Let us eat and be merry. While the light yet
glows, let us enjoy ourselves."
Away went the faithful animals. When they were gone, I walked forth and
stood under the beautiful trees, surrounded by all the adorning
verdure.
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