The Under Folk
The next day the Jailers brought food to the prison, as well as a second draught of oblivion, which, of course, had no effect, and they spent the day wondering how they could escape. In the evening the Jailer's son brought more food and more oblivion-cup, and he lingered while they ate. He did not look at all unkind, and Francis ventured to speak to him.
"I say," he said.
"What do you say?" the Under-lad asked.
"Are you forbidden to talk to us?"
"No."
"Then do tell us what they will do with us."
"I do not know. But we shall have to know before long. The prisons are filling up quickly—they will soon be quite full. Then we shall have to let some of you out on what is called ticket-of-leave—that means with your artificial tails on, which prevent you getting away, even if the oblivion-cup doesn't take effect."
"I say," it was Bernard's turn to ask.
"What do you say?"
"Why don't the King and Queen go and fight, like the Mer Royal Family do?"
"Against the law," said the Under-lad. "We took a King prisoner once, and our people were afraid our King and Queen might be taken, so they made that rule."
"What did you do with him—the prisoner King?" the Princess asked.
"Put him in an Iswater," said the lad, "a piece of water entirely surrounded by land."
"I should like to see him," said the Princess.
"Nothing easier," said the Under-lad, "as soon as you get your tickets-of- leaves. It's a good long passage to the lake—nearly all water, of course, but lots of our young people go there three times
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