"The Hen could not leave her eggs," said the Rabbit, "the Hare was out for a run, the Stag has pains in his horns and his corns, the Fox is ill--here is the doctor's certificate--the Goose did not understand and the Turkey flew into a passion...."
"Look!" whispered Tyltyl to Mytyl. "Aren't they funny? They are just like the rich children's fine toys in the windows at Christmas-time."
The Rabbit especially made them laugh, with his cocked hat over his big ears, his blue, embroidered coat and his drum slung in front of him.
Meanwhile, the Oak was explaining the situation to his brothers the Trees and to the Animals. Treacherous Tylette had been quite right in reckoning on their hatred.
"The child you see before you," said the Oak, "thanks to a talisman stolen from the powers of Earth, is able to take possession of our Blue Bird and thus to snatch from us the secret which we have kept since the origin of life.... Now we know enough of Man to entertain no doubt as to the fate which he reserves for us, once he is in possession of this secret.... Any hesitation would be both foolish and criminal.... It is a serious moment; the child must be done away with before it is too late...."
"What is he saying?" asked Tyltyl, who could not make out what the old Tree was driving at.
The Dog was prowling round the Oak and now showed his fangs:
"Do you see my teeth, you old cripple?" he growled.
"He is insulting the Oak!" said the Beech indignantly.
"Drive him out!" shouted the Oak, angrily. "He's a traitor!"
"What did I tell you?" whispered the Cat to Tyltyl. "I will arrange things.... But send him away."
"Will you be off!" said Tyltyl to the Dog.
"Do let me worry the gouty old beggar's moss slippers!" begged Tylô.
Tyltyl tried in vain to prevent him. The rage of Tylô, who understood the danger, knew no bounds; and he would have succeeded in saving his master, if the Cat had not thought of calling in the Ivy, who till then had kept his distance. The Dog pranced about like a madman, abusing everybody. He railed at the Ivy:
"Come on, if you dare, you old ball of twine, you!"
The onlookers growled; the Oak was pale with fury at seeing his authority denied; the Trees and the Animals were indignant, but, as they were cowards, not one of them dared protest; and the Dog would have settled all of them, if he had gone on with his rebellion. But Tyltyl threatened him harshly; and, suddenly yielding to his docile instincts, Tylô lay down at his master's feet. Thus it is that our finest virtues are treated as faults, when we exercise them without discrimination.