CONTENTS

1。WhythePrincessHasaStoryAboutHer2。ThePrincessLosesHerself3。ThePrincessand—WeShallSeeWho4。WhattheNurseThoughtofIt5。ThePrincessLetsWellAlone6。TheLittleMiner7。TheMines8。TheGoblins9。TheHalloftheGoblinPalace10。ThePrincess’sKing—Papa11。TheOldLady’sBedroom12。AShortChapterAboutCurdie13。TheCobs’Creatures14。ThatNightWeek15。WovenandthenSpun16。TheRing17。Springtime18。Curdie’sClue19。GoblinCounsels20。Irene’sClue21。TheEscape22。TheOldLadyandCurdie23。CurdieandHisMother24。IreneBehavesLikeaPrincess25。CurdieComestoGrief26。TheGoblin—Miners27。TheGoblinsintheKing’sHouse28。Curdie’sGuide29。Masonwork30。TheKingandtheKiss31。TheSubterraneanWaters32。TheLastChapterCHAPTER1

WhythePrincessHasaStoryAboutHerTherewasoncealittleprincesswhosefatherwaskingoveragreatcountryfullofmountainsandvalleys。Hispalacewasbuiltupononeofthemountains，andwasverygrandandbeautiful。Theprincess，whosenamewasIrene，wasbornthere，butshewassentsoonafterherbirth，becausehermotherwasnotverystrong，tobebroughtupbycountrypeopleinalargehouse，halfcastle，halffarmhouse，onthesideofanothermountain，abouthalf—waybetweenitsbaseanditspeak。

Theprincesswasasweetlittlecreature，andatthetimemystorybeginswasabouteightyearsold，Ithink，butshegotolderveryfast。Herfacewasfairandpretty，witheyesliketwobitsofnightsky，eachwithastardissolvedintheblue。Thoseeyesyouwouldhavethoughtmusthaveknowntheycamefromthere，sooftenweretheyturnedupinthatdirection。Theceilingofhernurserywasblue，withstarsinit，asliketheskyastheycouldmakeit。

ButIdoubtifevershesawtherealskywiththestarsinit，forareasonwhichIhadbettermentionatonce。

Thesemountainswerefullofhollowplacesunderneath;hugecaverns，andwindingways，somewithwaterrunningthroughthem，andsomeshiningwithallcoloursoftherainbowwhenalightwastakenin。Therewouldnothavebeenmuchknownaboutthem，hadtherenotbeenminesthere，greatdeeppits，withlonggalleriesandpassagesrunningofffromthem，whichhadbeendugtogetattheoreofwhichthemountainswerefull。Inthecourseofdigging，theminerscameuponmanyofthesenaturalcaverns。Afewofthemhadfar—offopeningsoutonthesideofamountain，orintoaravine。

Nowinthesesubterraneancavernslivedastrangeraceofbeings，calledbysomegnomes，bysomekobolds，bysomegoblins。Therewasalegendcurrentinthecountrythatatonetimetheylivedaboveground，andwereverylikeotherpeople。Butforsomereasonorother，concerningwhichthereweredifferentlegendarytheories，thekinghadlaidwhattheythoughttooseveretaxesuponthem，orhadrequiredobservancesofthemtheydidnotlike，orhadbeguntotreatthemwithmoreseverity，insomewayorother，andimposestricterlaws;andtheconsequencewasthattheyhadalldisappearedfromthefaceofthecountry。Accordingtothelegend，however，insteadofgoingtosomeothercountry，theyhadalltakenrefugeinthesubterraneancaverns，whencetheynevercameoutbutatnight，andthenseldomshowedthemselvesinanynumbers，andnevertomanypeopleatonce。Itwasonlyintheleastfrequentedandmostdifficultpartsofthemountainsthattheyweresaidtogatherevenatnightintheopenair。Thosewhohadcaughtsightofanyofthemsaidthattheyhadgreatlyalteredinthecourseofgenerations;andnowonder，seeingtheylivedawayfromthesun，incoldandwetanddarkplaces。Theywerenow，notordinarilyugly，buteitherabsolutelyhideous，orludicrouslygrotesquebothinfaceandform。Therewasnoinvention，theysaid，ofthemostlawlessimaginationexpressedbypenorpencil，thatcouldsurpasstheextravaganceoftheirappearance。ButIsuspectthosewhosaidsohadmistakensomeoftheiranimalcompanionsforthegoblinsthemselves—ofwhichmorebyandby。Thegoblinsthemselveswerenotsofarremovedfromthehumanassuchadescriptionwouldimply。Andastheygrewmisshapeninbodytheyhadgrowninknowledgeandcleverness，andnowwereabletodothingsnomortalcouldseethepossibilityof。Butastheygrewincunning，theygrewinmischief，andtheirgreatdelightwasineverywaytheycouldthinkoftoannoythepeoplewholivedintheopen—airstoreyabovethem。Theyhadenoughofaffectionleftforeachothertopreservethemfrombeingabsolutelycruelforcruelty’ssaketothosethatcameintheirway;butstilltheysoheartilycherishedtheancestralgrudgeagainstthosewhooccupiedtheirformerpossessionsandespeciallyagainstthedescendantsofthekingwhohadcausedtheirexpulsion，thattheysoughteveryopportunityoftormentingtheminwaysthatwereasoddastheirinventors;andalthoughdwarfedandmisshapen，theyhadstrengthequaltotheircunning。Intheprocessoftimetheyhadgotakingandagovernmentoftheirown，whosechiefbusiness，beyondtheirownsimpleaffairs，wastodevisetroublefortheirneighbours。Itwillnowbeprettyevidentwhythelittleprincesshadneverseentheskyatnight。Theyweremuchtooafraidofthegoblinstoletheroutofthehousethen，evenincompanywitheversomanyattendants;andtheyhadgoodreason，asweshallseebyandby。

CHAPTER2

ThePrincessLosesHerselfIhavesaidthePrincessIrenewasabouteightyearsoldwhenmystorybegins。Andthisishowitbegins。

Oneverywetday，whenthemountainwascoveredwithmistwhichwasconstantlygatheringitselftogetherintoraindrops，andpouringdownontheroofsofthegreatoldhouse，whenceitfellinafringeofwaterfromtheeavesallroundaboutit，theprincesscouldnotofcoursegoout。Shegotverytired，sotiredthatevenhertoyscouldnolongeramuseher。YouwouldwonderatthatifI

hadtimetodescribetoyouonehalfofthetoysshehad。Butthen，youwouldn’thavethetoysthemselves，andthatmakesallthedifference：youcan’tgettiredofathingbeforeyouhaveit。Itwasapicture，though，worthseeing—theprincesssittinginthenurserywiththeskyceilingoverherhead，atagreattablecoveredwithhertoys。Iftheartistwouldliketodrawthis，I

shouldadvisehimnottomeddlewiththetoys。Iamafraidofattemptingtodescribethem，andIthinkhehadbetternottrytodrawthem。Hehadbetternot。HecandoathousandthingsI

can’t，butIdon’tthinkhecoulddrawthosetoys。Nomancouldbettermaketheprincessherselfthanhecould，though—leaningwithherbackbowedintothebackofthechair，herheadhangingdown，andherhandsinherlap，verymiserableasshewouldsayherself，notevenknowingwhatshewouldlike，exceptitweretogooutandgetthoroughlywet，andcatchaparticularlynicecold，andhavetogotobedandtakegruel。Thenextmomentafteryouseehersittingthere，hernursegoesoutoftheroom。

Eventhatisachange，andtheprincesswakesupalittle，andlooksabouther。Thenshetumblesoffherchairandrunsoutofthedoor，notthesamedoorthenursewentoutof，butonewhichopenedatthefootofacuriousoldstairofworm—eatenoak，whichlookedasifneveranyonehadsetfootuponit。Shehadoncebeforebeenupsixsteps，andthatwassufficientreason，insuchaday，fortryingtofindoutwhatwasatthetopofit。

Upandupsheran—suchalongwayitseemedtoher！—untilshecametothetopofthethirdflight。Thereshefoundthelandingwastheendofalongpassage。Intothissheran。Itwasfullofdoorsoneachside。Thereweresomanythatshedidnotcaretoopenany，butranontotheend，wheresheturnedintoanotherpassage，alsofullofdoors。Whenshehadturnedtwicemore，andstillsawdoorsandonlydoorsabouther，shebegantogetfrightened。Itwassosilent！Andallthosedoorsmusthideroomswithnobodyinthem！Thatwasdreadful。Alsotherainmadeagreattramplingnoiseontheroof。Sheturnedandstartedatfullspeed，herlittlefootstepsechoingthroughthesoundsoftherain—backforthestairsandhersafenursery。Soshethought，butshehadlostherselflongago。Itdoesn’tfollowthatshewaslost，becauseshehadlostherself，though。

Sheranforsomedistance，turnedseveraltimes，andthenbegantobeafraid。Verysoonshewassurethatshehadlostthewayback。

Roomseverywhere，andnostair！Herlittleheartbeatasfastasherlittlefeetran，andalumpoftearswasgrowinginherthroat。

Butshewastooeagerandperhapstoofrightenedtocryforsometime。Atlastherhopefailedher。Nothingbutpassagesanddoorseverywhere！Shethrewherselfonthefloor，andburstintoawailingcrybrokenbysobs。

Shedidnotcrylong，however，forshewasasbraveascouldbeexpectedofaprincessofherage。Afteragoodcry，shegotup，andbrushedthedustfromherfrock。Oh，whatolddustitwas！

Thenshewipedhereyeswithherhands，forprincessesdon’talwayshavetheirhandkerchiefsintheirpockets，anymorethansomeotherlittlegirlsIknowof。Next，likeatrueprincess，sheresolvedongoingwiselytoworktofindherwayback：shewouldwalkthroughthepassages，andlookineverydirectionforthestair。

Thisshedid，butwithoutsuccess。Shewentoverthesamegroundagainanagainwithoutknowingit，forthepassagesanddoorswereallalike。Atlast，inacorner，throughahalf—opendoor，shedidseeastair。Butalas！itwentthewrongway：insteadofgoingdown，itwentup。Frightenedasshewas，however，shecouldnothelpwishingtoseewhereyetfurtherthestaircouldlead。Itwasverynarrow，andsosteepthatshewentonlikeafour—leggedcreatureonherhandsandfeet。

CHAPTER3

ThePrincessand—WeShallSeeWhoWhenshecametothetop，shefoundherselfinalittlesquareplace，withthreedoors，twooppositeeachother，andoneoppositethetopofthestair。Shestoodforamoment，withoutanideainherlittleheadwhattodonext。Butasshestood，shebegantohearacurioushummingsound。Coulditbetherain？No。Itwasmuchmoregentle，andevenmonotonousthanthesoundoftherain，whichnowshescarcelyheard。Thelowsweethummingsoundwenton，sometimesstoppingforalittlewhileandthenbeginningagain。Itwasmorelikethehumofaveryhappybeethathadfoundarichwellofhoneyinsomeglobularflower，thananythingelseIcanthinkofatthismoment。Wherecoulditcomefrom？Shelaidherearfirsttooneofthedoorstohearkenifitwasthere—thentoanother。Whenshelaidherearagainstthethirddoor，therecouldbenodoubtwhereitcamefrom：itmustbefromsomethinginthatroom。Whatcoulditbe？Shewasratherafraid，buthercuriositywasstrongerthanherfear，andsheopenedthedoorverygentlyandpeepedin。Whatdoyouthinkshesaw？Averyoldladywhosatspinning。

Perhapsyouwillwonderhowtheprincesscouldtellthattheoldladywasanoldlady，whenIinformyouthatnotonlywasshebeautiful，butherskinwassmoothandwhite。Iwilltellyoumore。Herhairwascombedbackfromherforeheadandface，andhungloosefardownandalloverherback。Thatisnotmuchlikeanoldlady—isit？Ah！butitwaswhitealmostassnow。Andalthoughherfacewassosmooth，hereyeslookedsowisethatyoucouldnothavehelpedseeingshemustbeold。Theprincess，thoughshecouldnothavetoldyouwhy，didthinkherveryoldindeed—

quitefifty，shesaidtoherself。Butshewasratherolderthanthat，asyoushallhear。

Whiletheprincessstaredbewildered，withherheadjustinsidethedoor，theoldladyliftedhers，andsaid，inasweet，butoldandrathershakyvoice，whichmingledverypleasantlywiththecontinuedhumofherwheel：

’Comein，mydear;comein。Iamgladtoseeyou。’

Thattheprincesswasarealprincessyoumightseenowquiteplainly;forshedidn’thangontothehandleofthedoor，andstarewithoutmoving，asIhaveknownsomedowhooughttohavebeenprincessesbutwereonlyrathervulgarlittlegirls。Shedidasshewastold，steppedinsidethedooratonce，andshutitgentlybehindher。

’Cometome，mydear，’saidtheoldlady。

Andagaintheprincessdidasshewastold。Sheapproachedtheoldlady—ratherslowly，Iconfess—butdidnotstopuntilshestoodbyherside，andlookedupinherfacewithherblueeyesandthetwomeltedstarsinthem。

’Why，whathaveyoubeendoingwithyoureyes，child？’askedtheoldlady。

’Crying，’answeredtheprincess。

’Why，child？’

’BecauseIcouldn’tfindmywaydownagain。’

’Butyoucouldfindyourwayup。’

’Notatfirst—notforalongtime。’

’Butyourfaceisstreakedlikethebackofazebra。Hadn’tyouahandkerchieftowipeyoureyeswith？’

’No。’

’Thenwhydidn’tyoucometometowipethemforyou？’

’Please，Ididn’tknowyouwerehere。Iwillnexttime。’

’There’sagoodchild！’saidtheoldlady。

Thenshestoppedherwheel，androse，and，goingoutoftheroom，returnedwithalittlesilverbasinandasoftwhitetowel，withwhichshewashedandwipedthebrightlittleface。Andtheprincessthoughtherhandsweresosmoothandnice！

Whenshecarriedawaythebasinandtowel，thelittleprincesswonderedtoseehowstraightandtallshewas，for，althoughshewassoold，shedidn’tstoopabit。Shewasdressedinblackvelvetwiththickwhiteheavy—lookinglaceaboutit;andontheblackdressherhairshonelikesilver。Therewashardlyanymorefurnitureintheroomthantheremighthavebeeninthatofthepoorestoldwomanwhomadeherbreadbyherspinning。Therewasnocarpetonthefloor—notableanywhere—nothingbutthespinning—wheelandthechairbesideit。Whenshecameback，shesatdownandwithoutawordbeganherspinningoncemore，whileIrene，whohadneverseenaspinning—wheel，stoodbyhersideandlookedon。Whentheoldladyhadgotherthreadfairlygoingagain，shesaidtotheprincess，butwithoutlookingather：

’Doyouknowmyname，child？’

’No，Idon’tknowit，’answeredtheprincess。

’mynameisIrene。’

’That’smyname！’criedtheprincess。

’Iknowthat。Iletyouhavemine。Ihaven’tgotyourname。

You’vegotmine。’

’Howcanthatbe？’askedtheprincess，bewildered。’I’vealwayshadmyname。’

’Yourpapa，theking，askedmeifIhadanyobjectiontoyourhavingit;and，ofcourse，Ihadn’t。Iletyouhaveitwithpleasure。’

’Itwasverykindofyoutogivemeyourname—andsuchaprettyone，’saidtheprincess。

’Oh，notsoverykind！’saidtheoldlady。’Anameisoneofthosethingsonecangiveawayandkeepallthesame。Ihaveagoodmanysuchthings。Wouldn’tyouliketoknowwhoIam，child？’

’Yes，thatIshould—verymuch。’

’I’myourgreat—great—grandmother，’saidthelady。

’What’sthat？’askedtheprincess。

’I’myourfather’smother’sfather’smother。’

’Oh，dear！Ican’tunderstandthat，’saidtheprincess。

’Idaresaynot。Ididn’texpectyouwould。Butthat’snoreasonwhyIshouldn’tsayit。’

’Oh，no！’answeredtheprincess。

’Iwillexplainitalltoyouwhenyouareolder，’theladywenton。’Butyouwillbeabletounderstandthismuchnow：Icameheretotakecareofyou。’

’Isitlongsinceyoucame？Wasityesterday？Orwasittoday，becauseitwassowetthatIcouldn’tgetout？’

’I’vebeenhereeversinceyoucameyourself。’

’Whatalongtime！’saidtheprincess。’Idon’trememberitatall。’

’No。Isupposenot。’

’ButIneversawyoubefore。’

’No。Butyoushallseemeagain。’

’Doyouliveinthisroomalways？’

’Idon’tsleepinit。Isleepontheoppositesideofthelanding。

Isitheremostoftheday。’

’Ishouldn’tlikeit。Mynurseryismuchprettier。Youmustbeaqueentoo，ifyouaremygreatbiggrand—mother。’

’Yes，Iamaqueen。’

’Whereisyourcrown，then？’

’Inmybedroom。’

’Ishouldliketoseeit。’

’Youshallsomeday—nottoday。’

’Iwonderwhynursienevertoldme。’

’Nursiedoesn’tknow。Sheneversawme。’

’Butsomebodyknowsthatyouareinthehouse？’

’No;nobody。’

’Howdoyougetyourdinner，then？’

’Ikeeppoultry—ofasort。’

’Wheredoyoukeepthem？’

’Iwillshowyou。’

’Andwhomakesthechickenbrothforyou？’

’IneverkillanyofMYchickens。’

’ThenIcan’tunderstand。’

’Whatdidyouhaveforbreakfastthismorning？’askedthelady。

’Oh！Ihadbreadandmilk，andanegg—Idaresayyoueattheireggs。’

’Yes，that’sit。Ieattheireggs。’

’Isthatwhatmakesyourhairsowhite？’

’No，mydear。It’soldage。Iamveryold。’

’Ithoughtso。Areyoufifty？’

’Yes—morethanthat。’

’Areyouahundred？’

’Yes—morethanthat。Iamtoooldforyoutoguess。Comeandseemychickens。’

Againshestoppedherspinning。Sherose，tooktheprincessbythehand，ledheroutoftheroom，andopenedthedooroppositethestair。Theprincessexpectedtoseealotofhensandchickens，butinsteadofthat，shesawtheblueskyfirst，andthentheroofsofthehouse，withamultitudeoftheloveliestpigeons，mostlywhite，butofallcolours，walkingabout，makingbowstoeachother，andtalkingalanguageshecouldnotunderstand。Sheclappedherhandswithdelight，anduprosesuchaflappingofwingsthatsheinherturnwasstartled。

’You’vefrightenedmypoultry，’saidtheoldlady，smiling。

’Andthey’vefrightenedme，’saidtheprincess，smilingtoo。’Butwhatverynicepoultry！Aretheeggsnice？’

’Yes，verynice。’

’Whatasmallegg—spoonyoumusthave！Wouldn’titbebettertokeephens，andgetbiggereggs？’

’HowshouldIfeedthem，though？’

’Isee，’saidtheprincess。’Thepigeonsfeedthemselves。They’vegotwings。’

’Justso。Iftheycouldn’tfly，Icouldn’teattheireggs。’

’Buthowdoyougetattheeggs？Wherearetheirnests？’

Theladytookholdofalittleloopofstringinthewallatthesideofthedoorand，liftingashutter，showedagreatmanypigeon—holeswithnests，somewithyoungonesandsomewitheggsinthem。Thebirdscameinattheotherside，andshetookouttheeggsonthisside。Shecloseditagainquickly，lesttheyoungonesshouldbefrightened。

’Oh，whataniceway！’criedtheprincess。’Willyougivemeaneggtoeat？I’mratherhungry。’

’Iwillsomeday，butnowyoumustgoback，ornursiewillbemiserableaboutyou。Idaresayshe’slookingforyoueverywhere。’

’Excepthere，’answeredtheprincess。’Oh，howsurprisedshewillbewhenItellheraboutmygreatbiggrand—grand—mother！’

’Yes，thatshewill！’saidtheoldladywithacurioussmile。

’Mindyoutellherallaboutitexactly。’

’ThatIwill。Pleasewillyoutakemebacktoher？’

’Ican’tgoalltheway，butIwilltakeyoutothetopofthestair，andthenyoumustrundownquitefastintoyourownroom。’

Thelittleprincessputherhandintheoldlady’s，who，lookingthiswayandthat，broughthertothetopofthefirststair，andthencetothebottomofthesecond，anddidnotleavehertillshesawherhalf—waydownthethird。Whensheheardthecryofhernurse’spleasureatfindingher，sheturnedandwalkedupthestairsagain，veryfastindeedforsuchaverygreatgrandmother，andsatdowntoherspinningwithanotherstrangesmileonhersweetoldface。

AboutthisspinningofhersIwilltellyoumoreanothertime。

Guesswhatshewasspinning。

CHAPTER4

WhattheNurseThoughtofIt’Why，wherecanyouhavebeen，princess？’askedthenurse，takingherinherarms。’It’sveryunkindofyoutohideawaysolong。

Ibegantobeafraid—’Hereshecheckedherself。

’Whatwereyouafraidof，nursie？’askedtheprincess。

’Nevermind，’sheanswered。’PerhapsIwilltellyouanotherday。

Nowtellmewhereyouhavebeen。’

’I’vebeenupalongwaytoseemyverygreat，huge，oldgrandmother，’saidtheprincess。

’Whatdoyoumeanbythat？’askedthenurse，whothoughtshewasmakingfun。

’ImeanthatI’vebeenalongwayupanduptoseeMyGREAT

grandmother。Ah，nursie，youdon’tknowwhatabeautifulmotherofgrandmothersI’vegotupstairs。Sheissuchanoldlady，withsuchlovelywhitehair—aswhiteasmysilvercup。Now，whenIthinkofit，Ithinkherhairmustbesilver。’

’Whatnonsenseyouaretalking，princess！’saidthenurse。

’I’mnottalkingnonsense，’returnedIrene，ratheroffended。’I

willtellyouallabouther。She’smuchtallerthanyou，andmuchprettier。’

’Oh，Idaresay！’remarkedthenurse。

’Andshelivesuponpigeons’eggs。’

’Mostlikely，’saidthenurse。

’Andshesitsinanemptyroom，spin—spinningalldaylong。’

’Notadoubtofit，’saidthenurse。

’Andshekeepshercrowninherbedroom。’

’Ofcourse—quitetheproperplacetokeephercrownin。Shewearsitinbed，I’llbebound。’

’Shedidn’tsaythat。AndIdon’tthinkshedoes。Thatwouldn’tbecomfortable—wouldit？Idon’tthinkmypapawearshiscrownforanight—cap。Doeshe，nursie？’

’Ineveraskedhim。Idaresayhedoes。’

’Andshe’sbeenthereeversinceIcamehere—eversomanyyears。’

’Anybodycouldhavetoldyouthat，’saidthenurse，whodidnotbelieveawordIrenewassaying。

’Whydidn’tyoutellme，then？’

’Therewasnonecessity。Youcouldmakeitallupforyourself。’

’Youdon’tbelieveme，then！’exclaimedtheprincess，astonishedandangry，asshewellmightbe。

’Didyouexpectmetobelieveyou，princess？’askedthenursecoldly。’Iknowprincessesareinthehabitoftellingmake—believes，butyouarethefirstIeverheardofwhoexpectedtohavethembelieved，’sheadded，seeingthatthechildwasstrangelyinearnest。

Theprincessburstintotears。

’Well，Imustsay，’remarkedthenurse，nowthoroughlyvexedwithherforcrying，’itisnotatallbecominginaprincesstotellstoriesandexpecttobebelievedjustbecausesheisaprincess。’

’Butit’squitetrue，Itellyou。’

’You’vedreamtit，then，child。’

’No，Ididn’tdreamit。Iwentupstairs，andIlostmyself，andifIhadn’tfoundthebeautifullady，Ishouldneverhavefoundmyself。’

’Oh，Idaresay！’

’Well，youjustcomeupwithme，andseeifI’mnottellingthetruth。’

’IndeedIhaveotherworktodo。It’syourdinnertime，andIwon’thaveanymoresuchnonsense。’

Theprincesswipedhereyes，andherfacegrewsohotthattheyweresoonquitedry。Shesatdowntoherdinner，butatenexttonothing。Nottobebelieveddoesnotatallagreewithprincesses：

forarealprincesscannottellalie。Soalltheafternoonshedidnotspeakaword。Onlywhenthenursespoketoher，sheansweredher，forarealprincessisneverrude—evenwhenshedoeswelltobeoffended。

Ofcoursethenursewasnotcomfortableinhermind—notthatshesuspectedtheleasttruthinIrene’sstory，butthatshelovedherdearly，andwasvexedwithherselfforhavingbeencrosstoher。

Shethoughthercrossnesswasthecauseoftheprincess’sunhappiness，andhadnoideathatshewasreallyanddeeplyhurtatnotbeingbelieved。But，asitbecamemoreandmoreplainduringtheeveninginhereverymotionandlook，that，althoughshetriedtoamuseherselfwithhertoys，herheartwastoovexedandtroubledtoenjoythem，hernurse’sdiscomfortgrewandgrew。Whenbedtimecame，sheundressedandlaidherdown，butthechild，insteadofholdingupherlittlemouthtobekissed，turnedawayfromherandlaystill。Thennursie’sheartgavewayaltogether，andshebegantocry。Atthesoundofherfirstsobtheprincessturnedagain，andheldherfacetokissherasusual。Butthenursehadherhandkerchieftohereyes，anddidnotseethemovement。

’Nursie，’saidtheprincess，’whywon’tyoubelieveme？’

’BecauseIcan’tbelieveyou，’saidthenurse，gettingangryagain。

’Ah！then，youcan’thelpit，’saidIrene，’andIwillnotbevexedwithyouanymore。Iwillgiveyouakissandgotosleep。’

’Youlittleangel！’criedthenurse，andcaughtheroutofbed，andwalkedabouttheroomwithherinherarms，kissingandhuggingher。

’Youwillletmetakeyoutoseemydearoldgreatbiggrandmother，won’tyou？’saidtheprincess，asshelaidherdownagain。

’Andyouwon’tsayI’mugly，anymore—willyou，princess？’

’Nursie，Ineversaidyouwereugly。Whatcanyoumean？’

’Well，ifyoudidn’tsayit，youmeantit。’

’Indeed，Ineverdid。’

’YousaidIwasn’tsoprettyasthat—’

’Asmybeautifulgrandmother—yes，Ididsaythat;andIsayitagain，forit’squitetrue。’

’ThenIdothinkyouareunkind！’saidthenurse，andputherhandkerchieftohereyesagain。

’Nursie，dear，everybodycan’tbeasbeautifulaseveryotherbody，youknow。Youareverynice—looking，butifyouhadbeenasbeautifulasmygrandmother—’

’Botheryourgrandmother！’saidthenurse。

’Nurse，that’sveryrude。Youarenotfittobespokentotillyoucanbehavebetter。’

Theprincessturnedawayoncemore，andagainthenursewasashamedofherself。

’I’msureIbegyourpardon，princess，’shesaid，thoughstillinanoffendedtone。Buttheprincessletthetonepass，andheededonlythewords。

’Youwon’tsayitagain，Iamsure，’sheanswered，oncemoreturningtowardshernurse。’Iwasonlygoingtosaythatifyouhadbeentwiceasnice—lookingasyouare，somekingorotherwouldhavemarriedyou，andthenwhatwouldhavebecomeofme？’

’Youareanangel！’repeatedthenurse，againembracingher。

’Now，’insistedIrene，’youwillcomeandseemygrandmother—

won’tyou？’

’Iwillgowithyouanywhereyoulike，mycherub，’sheanswered;

andintwominutesthewearylittleprincesswasfastasleep。

CHAPTER5

ThePrincessLetsWellAloneWhenshewokethenextmorning，thefirstthingsheheardwastherainstillfalling。Indeed，thisdaywassolikethelastthatitwouldhavebeendifficulttotellwherewastheuseofIt。Thefirstthingshethoughtof，however，wasnottherain，buttheladyinthetower;andthefirstquestionthatoccupiedherthoughtswaswhethersheshouldnotaskthenursetofulfilherpromisethisverymorning，andgowithhertofindhergrandmotherassoonasshehadhadherbreakfast。Butshecametotheconclusionthatperhapstheladywouldnotbepleasedifshetookanyonetoseeherwithoutfirstaskingleave;especiallyasitwasprettyevident，seeingshelivedonpigeons’eggs，andcookedthemherself，thatshedidnotwantthehouseholdtoknowshewasthere。Sotheprincessresolvedtotakethefirstopportunityofrunningupaloneandaskingwhethershemightbringhernurse。Shebelievedthefactthatshecouldnototherwiseconvincehershewastellingthetruthwouldhavemuchweightwithhergrandmother。

Theprincessandhernursewerethebestoffriendsalldressing—time，andtheprincessinconsequenceateanenormouslittlebreakfast。

’Iwonder，Lootie’—thatwasherpetnameforhernurse—’whatpigeons’eggstastelike？’shesaid，asshewaseatingheregg—

notquiteacommonone，fortheyalwayspickedoutthepinkyonesforher。

’We’llgetyouapigeon’segg，andyoushalljudgeforyourself，’

saidthenurse。

’Oh，no，no！’returnedIrene，suddenlyreflectingtheymightdisturbtheoldladyingettingit，andthateveniftheydidnot，shewouldhaveonelessinconsequence。

’Whatastrangecreatureyouare，’saidthenurse—’firsttowantathingandthentorefuseit！’

Butshedidnotsayitcrossly，andtheprincessnevermindedanyremarksthatwerenotunfriendly。

’Well，yousee，Lootie，therearereasons，’shereturned，andsaidnomore，forshedidnotwanttobringupthesubjectoftheirformerstrife，lesthernurseshouldoffertogobeforeshehadhadhergrandmother’spermissiontobringher。Ofcourseshecouldrefusetotakeher，butthenshewouldbelieveherlessthanever。

Nowthenurse，asshesaidherselfafterwards，couldnotbeeverymomentintheroom;andasneverbeforeyesterdayhadtheprincessgivenherthesmallestreasonforanxiety，ithadnotyetcomeintoherheadtowatchhermoreclosely。Soshesoongaveherachance，and，theveryfirstthatoffered，Irenewasoffandupthestairsagain。

Thisday’sadventure，however，didnotturnoutlikeyesterday’s，althoughitbeganlikeit;andindeedto—dayisveryseldomlikeyesterday，ifpeoplewouldnotethedifferences—evenwhenitrains。Theprincessranthroughpassageafterpassage，andcouldnotfindthestairofthetower。Myownsuspicionisthatshehadnotgoneuphighenough，andwassearchingonthesecondinsteadofthethirdfloor。Whensheturnedtogoback，shefailedequallyinhersearchafterthestair。Shewaslostoncemore。

Somethingmadeitevenworsetobearthistime，anditwasnowonderthatshecriedagain。Suddenlyitoccurredtoherthatitwasafterhavingcriedbeforethatshehadfoundhergrandmother’sstair。Shegotupatonce，wipedhereyes，andstarteduponafreshquest。

Thistime，althoughshedidnotfindwhatshehoped，shefoundwhatwasnextbest：shedidnotcomeonastairthatwentup，butshecameupononethatwentdown。Itwasevidentlynotthestairshehadcomeup，yetitwasagooddealbetterthannone;sodownshewent，andwassingingmerrilybeforeshereachedthebottom。

There，tohersurprise，shefoundherselfinthekitchen。Althoughshewasnotallowedtogotherealone，hernursehadoftentakenher，andshewasagreatfavouritewiththeservants。Sotherewasageneralrushatherthemomentsheappeared，foreveryonewantedtohaveher;andthereportofwhereshewassoonreachedthenurse’sears。Shecameatoncetofetchher;butsheneversuspectedhowshehadgotthere，andtheprincesskeptherowncounsel。

Herfailuretofindtheoldladynotonlydisappointedher，butmadeherverythoughtful。Sometimesshecamealmosttothenurse’sopinionthatshehaddreamedallabouther;butthatfancyneverlastedverylong。Shewonderedmuchwhethersheshouldeverseeheragain，andthoughtitverysadnottohavebeenabletofindherwhensheparticularlywantedher。Sheresolvedtosaynothingmoretohernurseonthesubject，seeingitwassolittleinherpowertoproveherwords。

CHAPTER6

TheLittleMinerThenextdaythegreatcloudstillhungoverthemountain，andtherainpouredlikewaterfromafullsponge。Theprincesswasveryfondofbeingoutofdoors，andshenearlycriedwhenshesawthattheweatherwasnobetter。Butthemistwasnotofsuchadarkdingygrey;therewaslightinit;andasthehourswentonitgrewbrighterandbrighter，untilitwasalmosttoobrillianttolookat;andlateintheafternoonthesunbrokeoutsogloriouslythatIreneclappedherhands，crying：

’See，see，Lootie！Thesunhashadhisfacewashed。Lookhowbrightheis！Dogetmyhat，andletusgooutforawalk。Oh，dear！oh，dear！howhappyIam！’

Lootiewasverygladtopleasetheprincess。Shegotherhatandcloak，andtheysetouttogetherforawalkupthemountain;fortheroadwassohardandsteepthatthewatercouldnotrestuponit，anditwasalwaysdryenoughforwalkingafewminutesaftertherainceased。Thecloudswererollingawayinbrokenpieces，likegreat，overwoollysheep，whosewoolthesunhadbleachedtillitwasalmosttoowhitefortheeyestobear。Betweenthemtheskyshonewithadeeperandpurerblue，becauseoftherain。Thetreesontheroadsidewerehungalloverwithdrops，whichsparkledinthesunlikejewels。Theonlythingsthatwerenobrighterfortherainwerethebrooksthatrandownthemountain;theyhadchangedfromtheclearnessofcrystaltoamuddybrown;butwhattheylostincolourtheygainedinsound—oratleastinnoise，forabrookwhenitisswollenisnotsomusicalasbefore。ButIrenewasinraptureswiththegreatbrownstreamstumblingdowneverywhere;andLootiesharedinherdelight，forshetoohadbeenconfinedtothehouseforthreedays。

Atlengthsheobservedthatthesunwasgettinglow，andsaiditwastimetobegoingback。Shemadetheremarkagainandagain，but，everytime，theprincessbeggedhertogoonjustalittlefartherandalittlefarther;remindingherthatitwasmucheasiertogodownhill，andsayingthatwhentheydidturntheywouldbeathomeinamoment。Soonandontheydidgo，nowtolookatagroupoffernsoverwhosetopsastreamwaspouringinawateryarch，nowtopickashiningstonefromarockbythewayside，nowtowatchtheflightofsomebird。Suddenlytheshadowofagreatmountainpeakcameupfrombehind，andshotinfrontofthem。Whenthenursesawit，shestartedandshook，andcatchingholdoftheprincess’shandturnedandbegantorundownthehill。

’What’sallthehaste，nursie？’askedIrene，runningalongsideofher。

’Wemustnotbeoutamomentlonger。’

’Butwecan’thelpbeingoutagoodmanymomentslonger。’

Itwastootrue。Thenursealmostcried。Theyweremuchtoofarfromhome。Itwasagainstexpressorderstobeoutwiththeprincessonemomentafterthesunwasdown;andtheywerenearlyamileupthemountain！IfHisMajesty，Irene’spapa，weretohearofit，Lootiewouldcertainlybedismissed;andtoleavetheprincesswouldbreakherheart。Itwasnowondersheran。ButIrenewasnotintheleastfrightened，notknowinganythingtobefrightenedat。Shekeptonchatteringaswellasshecould，butitwasnoteasy。

’Lootie！Lootie！whydoyourunsofast？ItshakesmyteethwhenItalk。’

’Thendon’ttalk，’saidLootie。

’Buttheprincesswentontalking。Shewasalwayssaying：’Look，look，Lootie！’butLootiepaidnomoreheedtoanythingshesaid，onlyranon。

’Look，look，Lootie！Don’tyouseethatfunnymanpeepingovertherock？’

Lootieonlyranthefaster。Theyhadtopasstherock，andwhentheycamenearer，theprincesssawitwasonlyalumpoftherockitselfthatshehadtakenforaman。

’Look，look，Lootie！There’ssuchacuriouscreatureatthefootofthatoldtree。Lookatit，Lootie！It’smakingfacesatus，I

dothink。’

Lootiegaveastifledcry，andranfasterstill—sofastthatIrene’slittlelegscouldnotkeepupwithher，andshefellwithacrash。Itwasaharddownhillroad，andshehadbeenrunningveryfast—soitwasnowondershebegantocry。Thisputthenursenearlybesideherself;butallshecoulddowastorunon，themomentshegottheprincessonherfeetagain。

’Who’sthatlaughingatme？’saidtheprincess，tryingtokeepinhersobs，andrunningtoofastforhergrazedknees。

’Nobody，child，’saidthenurse，almostangrily。

Butthatinstanttherecameaburstofcoarsetitteringfromsomewherenear，andahoarseindistinctvoicethatseemedtosay：

’Lies！lies！lies！’

’Oh！’criedthenursewithasighthatwasalmostascream，andranonfasterthanever。

’Nursie！Lootie！Ican’trunanymore。Doletuswalkabit。’

’WhatamItodo？’saidthenurse。’Here，Iwillcarryyou。’

Shecaughtherup;butfoundhermuchtooheavytorunwith，andhadtosetherdownagain。Thenshelookedwildlyabouther，gaveagreatcry，andsaid：

’We’vetakenthewrongturningsomewhere，andIdon’tknowwhereweare。Wearelost，lost！’

Theterrorshewasinhadquitebewilderedher。Itwastrueenoughtheyhadlosttheway。Theyhadbeenrunningdownintoalittlevalleyinwhichtherewasnohousetobeseen。

NowIrenedidnotknowwhatgoodreasontherewasforhernurse’sterror，fortheservantshadallstrictordersnevertomentionthegoblinstoher，butitwasverydiscomposingtoseehernurseinsuchafright。Before，however，shehadtimetogrowthoroughlyalarmedlikeher，sheheardthesoundofwhistling，andthatrevivedher。Presentlyshesawaboycominguptheroadfromthevalleytomeetthem。Hewasthewhistler;butbeforetheymethiswhistlingchangedtosinging。Andthisissomethinglikewhathesang：

’Ring！dod！bang！

Gothehammers’clang！

Hitandturnandbore！

Whizzandpuffandroar！

Thuswerivetherocks，Forcethegoblinlocks。—

Seetheshiningore！

One，two，three—

Brightasgoldcanbe！

Four，five，six—

Shovels，mattocks，picks！

Seven，eight，nine—

Lightyourlampatmine。

Ten，eleven，twelve—

Looselyholdthehelve。

We’rethemerryminer—boys，Makethegoblinsholdtheirnoise。’

’IwishYOUwouldholdyournoise，’saidthenurserudely，fortheverywordGOBLINatsuchatimeandinsuchaplacemadehertremble。Itwouldbringthegoblinsuponthemtoacertainty，shethought，todefytheminthatway。Butwhethertheboyheardherornot，hedidnotstophissinging。

’Thirteen，fourteen，fifteen—

Thisisworththesiftin’;

Sixteen，seventeen，eighteen—

There’sthematch，andlay’tin。

Nineteen，twenty—

Goblinsinaplenty。’

’Dobequiet，’criedthenurse，inawhisperedshriek。Buttheboy，whowasnowcloseathand，stillwenton。

’Hush！scush！scurry！

Thereyougoinahurry！

Gobble！gobble！goblin！

Thereyougoawobblin’;

Hobble，hobble，hobblin’—

Cobble！cobble！cobblin’！

Hob—bob—goblin！—

Huuuuuh！’

’There！’saidtheboy，ashestoodstilloppositethem。’There！

that’lldoforthem。Theycan’tbearsinging，andtheycan’tstandthatsong。Theycan’tsingthemselves，fortheyhavenomorevoicethanacrow;andtheydon’tlikeotherpeopletosing。’

Theboywasdressedinaminer’sdress，withacuriouscaponhishead。Hewasaverynice—lookingboy，witheyesasdarkastheminesinwhichheworkedandassparklingasthecrystalsintheirrocks。Hewasabouttwelveyearsold。Hisfacewasalmosttoopaleforbeauty，whichcameofhisbeingsolittleintheopenairandthesunlight—forevenvegetablesgrowninthedarkarewhite;

buthelookedhappy，merryindeed—perhapsatthethoughtofhavingroutedthegoblins;andhisbearingashestoodbeforethemhadnothingclownishorrudeaboutit。

’Isawthem，’hewenton，’asIcameup;andI’mverygladIdid。

Iknewtheywereaftersomebody，butIcouldn’tseewhoitwas。

Theywon’ttouchyousolongasI’mwithyou。’

’Why，whoareyou？’askedthenurse，offendedatthefreedomwithwhichhespoketothem。

’I’mPeter’sson。’

’Who’sPeter？’

’Petertheminer。’

’Idon’tknowhim。’

’I’mhisson，though。’

’Andwhyshouldthegoblinsmindyou，pray？’

’BecauseIdon’tmindthem。I’musedtothem。’

’Whatdifferencedoesthatmake？’

’Ifyou’renotafraidofthem，they’reafraidofyou。I’mnotafraidofthem。That’sall。Butit’sallthat’swanted—uphere，thatis。It’sadifferentthingdownthere。Theywon’talwaysmindthatsongeven，downthere。Andifanyonesingsit，theystandgrinningathimawfully;andifhegetsfrightened，andmissesaword，orsaysawrongone，they—oh！don’ttheygiveithim！’

’Whatdotheydotohim？’askedIrene，withatremblingvoice。

’Don’tgofrighteningtheprincess，’saidthenurse。

’Theprincess！’repeatedthelittleminer，takingoffhiscuriouscap。’Ibegyourpardon;butyououghtn’ttobeoutsolate。

Everybodyknowsthat’sagainstthelaw。’

’Yes，indeeditis！’saidthenurse，beginningtocryagain。’AndIshallhavetosufferforit。’

’Whatdoesthatmatter？’saidtheboy。’Itmustbeyourfault。Itistheprincesswhowillsufferforit。Ihopetheydidn’thearyoucallhertheprincess。Iftheydid，they’resuretoknowheragain：they’reawfullysharp。’

’Lootie！Lootie！’criedtheprincess。’Takemehome。’

’Don’tgoonlikethat，’saidthenursetotheboy，almostfiercely。’HowcouldIhelpit？Ilostmyway。’

’Youshouldn’thavebeenoutsolate。Youwouldn’thavelostyourwayifyouhadn’tbeenfrightened，’saidtheboy。’Comealong。

I’llsoonsetyourightagain。ShallIcarryyourlittleHighness？’

’Impertinence！’murmuredthenurse，butshedidnotsayitaloud，forshethoughtifshemadehimangryhemighttakehisrevengebytellingsomeonebelongingtothehouse，andthenitwouldbesuretocometotheking’sears。’No，thankyou，’saidIrene。’Icanwalkverywell，thoughIcan’trunsofastasnursie。Ifyouwillgivemeonehand，Lootiewillgivemeanother，andthenIshallgetonfamously。’

Theysoonhadherbetweenthem，holdingahandofeach。

’Nowlet’srun，’saidthenurse。

’No，no！’saidthelittleminer。’That’stheworstthingyoucando。Ifyouhadn’trunbefore，youwouldnothavelostyourway。

Andifyourunnow，theywillbeafteryouinamoment。’

’Idon’twanttorun，’saidIrene。

’Youdon’tthinkofme，’saidthenurse。

’Yes，Ido，Lootie。Theboysaystheywon’ttouchusifwedon’trun。’

’Yes，butiftheyknowatthehousethatI’vekeptyououtsolateIshallbeturnedaway，andthatwouldbreakmyheart。’

’Turnedaway，Lootie！Whowouldturnyouaway？’

’Yourpapa，child。’

’ButI’lltellhimitwasallmyfault。Andyouknowitwas，Lootie。’

’Hewon’tmindthat。I’msurehewon’t。’

’ThenI’llcry，andgodownonmykneestohim，andbeghimnottotakeawaymyowndearLootie。’

Thenursewascomfortedathearingthis，andsaidnomore。Theywenton，walkingprettyfast，buttakingcarenottorunastep。

’Iwanttotalktoyou，’saidIrenetothelittleminer;’butit’ssoawkward！Idon’tknowyourname。’

’Myname’sCurdie，littleprincess。’

’Whatafunnyname！Curdie！Whatmore？’

’CurdiePeterson。What’syourname，please？’

’Irene。’

’Whatmore？’

’Idon’tknowwhatmore。Whatmoreismyname，Lootie？’

’Princesseshaven’tgotmorethanonename。Theydon’twantit。’

’Oh，then，Curdie，youmustcallmejustIreneandnomore。’

’No，indeed，’saidthenurseindignantly。’Heshalldonosuchthing。’

’Whatshallhecallme，then，Lootie？’

’YourRoyalHighness。’

’MyRoyalHighness！What’sthat？No，no，Lootie。Iwon’tbecallednames。Idon’tlikethem。Youtoldmeonceyourselfit’sonlyrudechildrenthatcallnames;andI’msureCurdiewouldn’tberude。Curdie，myname’sIrene。’

’Well，Irene，’saidCurdie，withaglanceatthenursewhichshowedheenjoyedteasingher;’itisverykindofyoutoletmecallyouanything。Ilikeyournameverymuch。’

Heexpectedthenursetointerfereagain;buthesoonsawthatshewastoofrightenedtospeak。Shewasstaringatsomethingafewyardsbeforetheminthemiddleofthepath，whereitnarrowedbetweenrockssothatonlyonecouldpassatatime。

’Itisverymuchkinderofyoutogooutofyourwaytotakeushome，’saidIrene。

’I’mnotgoingoutofmywayyet，’saidCurdie。’It’sontheothersideofthoserocksthepathturnsofftomyfather’s。’

’Youwouldn’tthinkofleavingustillwe’resafehome，I’msure，’

gaspedthenurse。

’Ofcoursenot，’saidCurdie。

’Youdear，good，kindCurdie！I’llgiveyouakisswhenwegethome，’saidtheprincess。

Thenursegaveheragreatpullbythehandsheheld。Butatthatinstantthesomethinginthemiddleoftheway，whichhadlookedlikeagreatlumpofearthbroughtdownbytherain，begantomove。

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