Oneafteranotheritshotoutfourlongthings，liketwoarmsandtwolegs，butitwasnowtoodarktotellwhattheywere。Thenursebegantotremblefromheadtofoot。IreneclaspedCurdie’shandyetfaster，andCurdiebegantosingagain：
’One，two—
Hitandhew！
Three，four—
Blastandbore！
Five，six—
There’safix！
Seven，eight—
Holditstraight！
Nine，ten—
Hitagain！
Hurry！scurry！
Bother！smother！
There’satoadIntheroad！
Smashit！
Squashit！
Fryit！
Dryit！
You’reanother！
Upandoff！
There’senough！—
Huuuuuh！’
Asheutteredthelastwords，Curdieletgohisholdofhiscompanion，andrushedatthethingintheroadasifhewouldtrampleitunderhisfeet。Itgaveagreatspring，andranstraightuponeoftherockslikeahugespider。Curdieturnedbacklaughing，andtookIrene’shandagain。Shegraspedhisverytight，butsaidnothingtilltheyhadpassedtherocks。Afewyardsmoreandshefoundherselfonapartoftheroadsheknew，andwasabletospeakagain。
’Doyouknow，Curdie，Idon’tquitelikeyoursong：itsoundstomeratherrude，’shesaid。
’Well，perhapsitis，’answeredCurdie。’Ineverthoughtofthat;
it’sawaywehave。Wedoitbecausetheydon’tlikeit。’
’Whodon’tlikeit？’
’Thecobs，aswecallthem。’
’Don’t！’saidthenurse。
’Whynot？’saidCurdie。
’Ibegyouwon’t。Pleasedon’t。’
’Oh！ifyouaskmethatway，ofcourse，Iwon’t;thoughIdon’tabitknowwhy。Look！therearethelightsofyourgreathousedownbelow。You’llbeathomeinfiveminutesnow。’
Nothingmorehappened。Theyreachedhomeinsafety。Nobodyhadmissedthem，orevenknowntheyhadgoneout;andtheyarrivedatthedoorbelongingtotheirpartofthehousewithoutanyoneseeingthem。Thenursewasrushinginwithahurriedandnotover—graciousgoodnighttoCurdie;buttheprincesspulledherhandfromhers，andwasjustthrowingherarmsroundCurdie’sneck，whenshecaughtheragainanddraggedheraway。
’Lootie！Lootie！Ipromisedakiss，’criedIrene。
’Aprincessmustn’tgivekisses。It’snotatallproper，’saidLootie。
’ButIpromised，’saidtheprincess。
’There’snooccasion;he’sonlyaminer—boy。’
’He’sagoodboy，andabraveboy，andhehasbeenverykindtous。
Lootie！Lootie！Ipromised。’
’Thenyoushouldn’thavepromised。’
’Lootie，Ipromisedhimakiss。’
’YourRoyalHighness，’saidLootie，suddenlygrownveryrespectful，’mustcomeindirectly。’
’Nurse，aprincessmustnotbreakherword，’saidIrene，drawingherselfupandstandingstock—still。
Lootiedidnotknowwhichthekingmightcounttheworst—tolettheprincessbeoutaftersunset，ortoletherkissaminer—boy。
Shedidnotknowthat，beingagentleman，asmanykingshavebeen，hewouldhavecountedneitherofthemtheworse。Howevermuchhemighthavedislikedhisdaughtertokisstheminer—boy，hewouldnothavehadherbreakherwordforallthegoblinsincreation。
But，asIsay，thenursewasnotladyenoughtounderstandthis，andsoshewasinagreatdifficulty，for，ifsheinsisted，someonemightheartheprincesscryandruntosee，andthenallwouldcomeout。ButhereCurdiecameagaintotherescue。
’Nevermind，PrincessIrene，’hesaid。’Youmustn’tkissmetonight。Butyoushan’tbreakyourword。Iwillcomeanothertime。YoumaybesureIwill。’
’Oh，thankyou，Curdie！’saidtheprincess，andstoppedcrying。
’Goodnight，Irene;goodnight，Lootie，’saidCurdie，andturnedandwasoutofsightinamoment。
’Ishouldliketoseehim！’mutteredthenurse，asshecarriedtheprincesstothenursery。
’Youwillseehim，’saidIrene。’YoumaybesureCurdiewillkeephisword。He’ssuretocomeagain。’
’Ishouldliketoseehim！’repeatedthenurse，andsaidnomore。
Shedidnotwanttoopenanewcauseofstrifewiththeprincessbysayingmoreplainlywhatshemeant。Gladenoughthatshehadsucceededbothingettinghomeunseen，andinkeepingtheprincessfromkissingtheminer’sboy，sheresolvedtowatchherfarbetterinfuture。Hercarelessnesshadalreadydoubledthedangershewasin。Formerlythegoblinswereheronlyfear;nowshehadtoprotectherchargefromCurdieaswell。
CHAPTER7
TheMinesCurdiewenthomewhistling。Heresolvedtosaynothingabouttheprincessforfearofgettingthenurseintotrouble，forwhileheenjoyedteasingherbecauseofherabsurdity，hewascarefulnottodoheranyharm。Hesawnomoreofthegoblins，andwassoonfastasleepinhisbed。
Hewokeinthemiddleofthenight，andthoughtheheardcuriousnoisesoutside。Hesatupandlistened;thengotup，and，openingthedoorveryquietly，wentout。Whenhepeepedroundthecorner，hesaw，underhisownwindow，agroupofstumpycreatures，whomheatoncerecognizedbytheirshape。Hardly，however，hadhebegunhis’One，two，three！’whentheybrokeasunder，scurriedaway，andwereoutofsight。Hereturnedlaughing，gotintobedagain，andwasfastasleepinamoment。
Reflectingalittleoverthematterinthemorning，hecametotheconclusionthat，asnothingofthekindhadeverhappenedbefore，theymustbeannoyedwithhimforinterferingtoprotecttheprincess。Bythetimehewasdressed，however，hewasthinkingofsomethingquitedifferent，forhedidnotvaluetheenmityofthegoblinsintheleast。Assoonastheyhadhadbreakfast，hesetoffwithhisfatherforthemine。
Theyenteredthehillbyanaturalopeningunderahugerock，wherealittlestreamrushedout。Theyfolloweditscourseforafewyards，whenthepassagetookaturn，andslopedsteeplyintotheheartofthehill。Withmanyanglesandwindingsandbranchings—off，andsometimeswithstepswhereitcameuponanaturalgulf，itledthemdeepintothehillbeforetheyarrivedattheplacewheretheywereatpresentdiggingoutthepreciousore。
Thiswasofvariouskinds，forthemountainwasveryrichinthebettersortsofmetals。Withflintandsteel，andtinder—box，theylightedtheirlamps，thenfixedthemontheirheads，andweresoonhardatworkwiththeirpickaxesandshovelsandhammers。Fatherandsonwereatworkneareachother，butnotinthesamegang—
thepassagesoutofwhichtheorewasdug，theycalledgangs—forwhenthelode，orveinofore，wassmall，oneminerwouldhavetodigawayaloneinapassagenobiggerthangavehimjustroomtowork—sometimesinuncomfortablecrampedpositions。Iftheystoppedforamomenttheycouldheareverywherearoundthem，somenearer，somefartheroff，thesoundsoftheircompanionsburrowingawayinalldirectionsintheinsideofthegreatmountain—someboringholesintherockinordertoblowitupwithgunpowder，othersshovellingthebrokenoreintobasketstobecarriedtothemouthofthemine，othershittingawaywiththeirpickaxes。
Sometimes，iftheminerwasinaverylonelypart，hewouldhearonlyatap—tapping，nolouderthanthatofawoodpecker，forthesoundwouldcomefromagreatdistanceoffthroughthesolidmountainrock。
Theworkwashardatbest，foritisverywarmunderground;butitwasnotparticularlyunpleasant，andsomeoftheminers，whentheywantedtoearnalittlemoremoneyforaparticularpurpose，wouldstopbehindtherestandworkallnight。Butyoucouldnottellnightfromdaydownthere，exceptfromfeelingtiredandsleepy;
fornolightofthesunevercameintothosegloomyregions。Somewhohadthusremainedbehindduringthenight，althoughcertaintherewerenoneoftheircompanionsatwork，woulddeclarethenextmorningthattheyheard，everytimetheyhaltedforamomenttotakebreath，atap—tappingallaboutthem，asifthemountainwerethenmorefullofminersthaneveritwasduringtheday;andsomeinconsequencewouldneverstayovernight，forallknewthosewerethesoundsofthegoblins。Theyworkedonlyatnight，fortheminers’nightwasthegoblins’day。Indeed，thegreaternumberoftheminerswereafraidofthegoblins;fortherewerestrangestorieswellknownamongstthemofthetreatmentsomehadreceivedwhomthegoblinshadsurprisedattheirworkduringthenight。Themorecourageousofthem，however，amongstthemPeterPetersonandCurdie，whointhistookafterhisfather，hadstayedinthemineallnightagainandagain，andalthoughtheyhadseveraltimesencounteredafewstraygoblins，hadneveryetfailedindrivingthemaway。AsIhaveindicatedalready，thechiefdefenceagainstthemwasverse，fortheyhatedverseofeverykind，andsomekindstheycouldnotendureatall。Isuspecttheycouldnotmakeanythemselves，andthatwaswhytheydislikeditsomuch。Atallevents，thosewhoweremostafraidofthemwerethosewhocouldneithermakeversesthemselvesnorremembertheversesthatotherpeoplemadeforthem;whilethosewhowereneverafraidwerethosewhocouldmakeversesforthemselves;foralthoughtherewerecertainoldrhymeswhichwereveryeffectual，yetitwaswellknownthatanewrhyme，ifoftherightsort，wasevenmoredistastefultothem，andthereforemoreeffectualinputtingthemtoflight。
Perhapsmyreadersmaybewonderingwhatthegoblinscouldbeabout，workingallnightlong，seeingtheynevercarrieduptheoreandsoldit;butwhenIhaveinformedthemconcerningwhatCurdielearnedtheverynextnight，theywillbeabletounderstand。
ForCurdiehaddetermined，ifhisfatherwouldpermithim，toremaintherealonethisnight—andthatfortworeasons：first，hewantedtogetextrawagesthathemightbuyaverywarmredpetticoatforhismother，whohadbeguntocomplainofthecoldofthemountainairsoonerthanusualthisautumn;andsecond，hehadjustafainthopeoffindingoutwhatthegoblinswereaboutunderhiswindowthenightbefore。
Whenhetoldhisfather，hemadenoobjection，forhehadgreatconfidenceinhisboy’scourageandresources。
’I’msorryIcan’tstaywithyou，’saidPeter;’butIwanttogoandpaytheparsonavisitthisevening，andbesidesI’vehadabitofaheadacheallday。’
’I’msorryforthat，father，’saidCurdie。
’Oh，it’snotmuch。You’llbesuretotakecareofyourself，won’tyou？’
’Yes，father;Iwill。I’llkeepasharplook—out，Ipromiseyou。’
Curdiewastheonlyonewhoremainedinthemine。Aboutsixo’clocktherestwentaway，everyonebiddinghimgoodnight，andtellinghimtotakecareofhimself;forhewasagreatfavouritewiththemall。
’Don’tforgetyourrhymes，’saidone。
’No，no，’answeredCurdie。
’It’snomatterifhedoes，’saidanother，’forhe’llonlyhavetomakeanewone。’
’Yes：buthemightn’tbeabletomakeitfastenough，’saidanother;’andwhileitwascookinginhishead，theymighttakeameanadvantageandsetuponhim。’
’I’lldomybest，’saidCurdie。’I’mnotafraid。’
’Weallknowthat，’theyreturned，andlefthim。
CHAPTER8
TheGoblinsForsometimeCurdieworkedawaybriskly，throwingalltheorehehaddisengagedononesidebehindhim，tobereadyforcarryingoutinthemorning。Heheardagooddealofgoblin—tapping，butitallsoundedfarawayinthehill，andhepaiditlittleheed。Towardsmidnighthebegantofeelratherhungry;sohedroppedhispickaxe，gotoutalumpofbreadwhichinthemorninghehadlaidinadampholeintherock，satdownonaheapofore，andatehissupper。
Thenheleanedbackforfiveminutes’restbeforebeginninghisworkagain，andlaidhisheadagainsttherock。Hehadnotkeptthepositionforoneminutebeforeheheardsomethingwhichmadehimsharpenhisears。Itsoundedlikeavoiceinsidetherock。
Afterawhilehehearditagain。Itwasagoblinvoice—therecouldbenodoubtaboutthat—andthistimehecouldmakeoutthewords。
’Hadn’twebetterbemoving？’itsaid。
Arougheranddeepervoicereplied：
’There’snohurry。Thatwretchedlittlemolewon’tbethroughtonight，ifheworkeversohard。He’snotbyanymeansatthethinnestplace。’
’Butyoustillthinkthelodedoescomethroughintoourhouse？’
saidthefirstvoice。
’Yes，butagoodbitfartheronthanhehasgottoyet。Ifhehadstruckastrokemoretothesidejusthere，’saidthegoblin，tappingtheverystone，asitseemedtoCurdie，againstwhichhisheadlay，’hewouldhavebeenthrough;buthe’sacoupleofyardspastitnow，andifhefollowthelodeitwillbeaweekbeforeitleadshimin。Youseeitbackthere—alongway。Still，perhaps，incaseofaccidentitwouldbeaswelltobegettingoutofthis。
Helfer，you’lltakethegreatchest。That’syourbusiness，youknow。’
’Yes，dad，’saidathirdvoice。’Butyoumusthelpmetogetitonmyback。It’sawfullyheavy，youknow。’
’Well，itisn’tjustabagofsmoke，Iadmit。Butyou’reasstrongasamountain，Helfer。’
’Yousayso，dad。IthinkmyselfI’mallright。ButIcouldcarrytentimesasmuchifitwasn’tformyfeet。’
’Thatisyourweakpoint，Iconfess，myboy。’
’Ain’tityourstoo，father？’
’Well，tobehonest，it’sagoblinweakness。Whytheycomesosoft，IdeclareIhaven’tanidea。’
’Speciallywhenyourhead’ssohard，youknow，father。’
’Yesmyboy。Thegoblin’sgloryishishead。Tothinkhowthefellowsupabovetherehavetoputonhelmetsandthingswhentheygofighting！Ha！ha！’
’Butwhydon’twewearshoeslikethem，father？Ishouldlikeit—especiallywhenI’vegotachestlikethatonmyhead。’
’Well，yousee，it’snotthefashion。Thekingneverwearsshoes。’
’Thequeendoes。’
’Yes;butthat’sfordistinction。Thefirstqueen，yousee—I
meantheking’sfirstwife—woreshoes，ofcourse，becauseshecamefromupstairs;andso，whenshedied，thenextqueenwouldnotbeinferiortoherasshecalledit，andwouldwearshoestoo。Itwasallpride。Sheisthehardestinforbiddingthemtotherestofthewomen。’
’I’msureIwouldn’twearthem—no，notfor—thatIwouldn’t！’
saidthefirstvoice，whichwasevidentlythatofthemotherofthefamily。’Ican’tthinkwhyeitherofthemshould。’
’Didn’tItellyouthefirstwasfromupstairs？’saidtheother。
’ThatwastheonlysillythingIeverknewHisMajestyguiltyof。
Whyshouldhemarryanoutlandishwomanlikethat—oneofournaturalenemiestoo？’
’Isupposehefellinlovewithher。’
’Pooh！pooh！He’sjustashappynowwithoneofhisownpeople。’
’Didshedieverysoon？Theydidn’tteasehertodeath，didthey？’
’Oh，dear，no！Thekingworshippedherveryfootmarks。’
’Whatmadeherdie，then？Didn’ttheairagreewithher？’
’Shediedwhentheyoungprincewasborn。’
’Howsillyofher！Weneverdothat。Itmusthavebeenbecausesheworeshoes。’
’Idon’tknowthat。’
’Whydotheywearshoesupthere？’
’Ah，nowthat’sasensiblequestion，andIwillanswerit。Butinordertodoso，Imustfirsttellyouasecret。Ioncesawthequeen’sfeet。’
’Withouthershoes？’
’Yes—withouthershoes。’
’No！Didyou？Howwasit？’
’Neveryoumindhowitwas。Shedidn’tknowIsawthem。Andwhatdoyouthink！—theyhadtoes！’
’Toes！What’sthat？’
’Youmaywellask！IshouldneverhaveknownifIhadnotseenthequeen’sfeet。justimagine！theendsofherfeetweresplitupintofiveorsixthinpieces！’
’Oh，horrid！Howcouldthekinghavefalleninlovewithher？’
’Youforgetthatsheworeshoes。Thatisjustwhysheworethem。
Thatiswhyallthemen，andwomentoo，upstairswearshoes。Theycan’tbearthesightoftheirownfeetwithoutthem。’
’Ah！nowIunderstand。Ifeveryouwishforshoesagain，Helfer，I’llhityourfeet—Iwill。’
’No，no，mother;praydon’t。’
’Thendon’tyou。’
’Butwithsuchabigboxonmyhead—’
Ahorridscreamfollowed，whichCurdieinterpretedasinreplytoablowfromhismotheruponthefeetofhereldestgoblin。
’Well，Ineverknewsomuchbefore！’remarkedafourthvoice。
’Yourknowledgeisnotuniversalquiteyet，’saidthefather。’Youwereonlyfiftylastmonth。Mindyouseetothebedandbedding。
Assoonaswe’vefinishedoursupper，we’llbeupandgoing。Ha！
ha！ha！’
’Whatareyoulaughingat，husband？’
’I’mlaughingtothinkwhatamesstheminerswillfindthemselvesin—somewherebeforethisdaytenyears。’
’Why，whatdoyoumean？’
’Oh，nothing。’
’Oh，yes，youdomeansomething。Youalwaysdomeansomething。’
’It’smorethanyoudo，then，wife。’
’Thatmaybe;butit’snotmorethanIfindout，youknow。’
’Ha！ha！You’reasharpone。Whatamotheryou’vegot，Helfer！’
’Yes，father。’
’Well，IsupposeImusttellyou。They’reallatthepalaceconsultingaboutittonight;andassoonaswe’vegotawayfromthisthinplaceI’mgoingtheretohearwhatnighttheyfixupon。
Ishouldliketoseethatyoungruffianthereontheotherside，strugglingintheagoniesof—’
HedroppedhisvoicesolowthatCurdiecouldhearonlyagrowl。
Thegrowlwentoninthelowbassforagoodwhile，asinarticulateasifthegoblin’stonguehadbeenasausage;anditwasnotuntilhiswifespokeagainthatitrosetoitsformerpitch。
’Butwhatshallwedowhenyouareatthepalace？’sheasked。
’IwillseeyousafeinthenewhouseI’vebeendiggingforyouforthelasttwomonths。Podge，youmindthetableandchairs。I
committhemtoyourcare。Thetablehassevenlegs—eachchairthree。Ishallrequirethemallatyourhands。’
Afterthisaroseaconfusedconversationaboutthevarioushouseholdgoodsandtheirtransport;andCurdieheardnothingmorethatwasofanyimportance。
Henowknewatleastoneofthereasonsfortheconstantsoundofthegoblinhammersandpickaxesatnight。Theyweremakingnewhousesforthemselves，towhichtheymightretreatwhentheminersshouldthreatentobreakintotheirdwellings。Buthehadlearnedtwothingsoffargreaterimportance。Thefirstwas，thatsomegrievouscalamitywaspreparing，andalmostreadytofallupontheheadsoftheminers;thesecondwas—theoneweakpointofagoblin’sbody;hehadnotknownthattheirfeetweresotenderashehadnowreasontosuspect。Hehadhearditsaidthattheyhadnotoes：hehadneverhadopportunityofinspectingthemcloselyenough，intheduskinwhichtheyalwaysappeared，tosatisfyhimselfwhetheritwasacorrectreport。Indeed，hehadnotbeenableeventosatisfyhimselfastowhethertheyhadnofingers，althoughthatalsowascommonlysaidtobethefact。Oneoftheminers，indeed，whohadhadmoreschoolingthantherest，waswonttoarguethatsuchmusthavebeentheprimordialconditionofhumanity，andthateducationandhandicrafthaddevelopedbothtoesandfingers—withwhichpropositionCurdiehadonceheardhisfathersarcasticallyagree，alleginginsupportofittheprobabilitythatbabies’gloveswereatraditionalremnantoftheoldstateofthings;whilethestockingsofallages，noregardbeingpaidinthemtothetoes，pointedinthesamedirection。Butwhatwasofimportancewasthefactconcerningthesoftnessofthegoblinfeet，whichheforesawmightbeusefultoallminers。Whathehadtodointhemeantime，however，wastodiscover，ifpossible，thespecialevildesignthegoblinshadnowintheirheads。
Althoughheknewallthegangsandallthenaturalgallerieswithwhichtheycommunicatedintheminedpartofthemountain，hehadnottheleastideawherethepalaceofthekingofthegnomeswas;
otherwisehewouldhavesetoutatonceontheenterpriseofdiscoveringwhatthesaiddesignwas。Hejudged，andrightly，thatitmustlieinafartherpartofthemountain，betweenwhichandtheminetherewasasyetnocommunication。Theremustbeonenearlycompleted，however;foritcouldbebutathinpartitionwhichnowseparatedthem。Ifonlyhecouldgetthroughintimetofollowthegoblinsastheyretreated！Afewblowswoulddoubtlessbesufficient—justwherehisearnowlay;butifheattemptedtostriketherewithhispickaxe，hewouldonlyhastenthedepartureofthefamily，putthemontheirguard，andperhapslosetheirinvoluntaryguidance。HethereforebegantofeelthewallWithhishands，andsoonfoundthatsomeofthestoneswerelooseenoughtobedrawnoutwithlittlenoise。
Layingholdofalargeonewithbothhishands，hedrewitgentlyout，andletitdownsoftly。
’Whatwasthatnoise？’saidthegoblinfather。
Curdieblewouthislight，lestitshouldshinethrough。
’Itmustbethatoneminerthatstayedbehindtherest，’saidthemother。
’No;he’sbeengoneagoodwhile。Ihaven’theardablowforanhour。Besides，itwasn’tlikethat。’
’ThenIsupposeitmusthavebeenastonecarrieddownthebrookinside。’
’Perhaps。Itwillhavemoreroombyandby。’
Curdiekeptquitestill。Afteralittlewhile，hearingnothingbutthesoundsoftheirpreparationsfordeparture，mingledwithanoccasionalwordofdirection，andanxioustoknowwhethertheremovalofthestonehadmadeanopeningintothegoblins’house，heputinhishandtofeel。Itwentinagoodway，andthencameincontactwithsomethingsoft。Hehadbutamomenttofeelitover，itwassoquicklywithdrawn：itwasoneofthetoelessgoblinfeet。Theownerofitgaveacryoffright。
’What’sthematter，Helfer？’askedhismother。
’Abeastcameoutofthewallandlickedmyfoot。’
’Nonsense！Therearenowildbeastsinourcountry，’saidhisfather。
’Butitwas，father。Ifeltit。’
’Nonsense，Isay。Willyoumalignyournativerealmsandreducethemtoalevelwiththecountryupstairs？Thatisswarmingwithwildbeastsofeverydescription。’
’ButIdidfeelit，father。’
’Itellyoutoholdyourtongue。Youarenopatriot。’
Curdiesuppressedhislaughter，andlaystillasamouse—butnostiller，foreverymomenthekeptnibblingawaywithhisfingersattheedgesofthehole。Hewasslowlymakingitbigger，forheretherockhadbeenverymuchshatteredwiththeblasting。
Thereseemedtobeagoodmanyinthefamily，tojudgefromthemassofconfusedtalkwhichnowandthencamethroughthehole;butwhenallwerespeakingtogether，andjustasiftheyhadbottle—brushes—eachatleastone—intheirthroats，itwasnoteasytomakeoutmuchthatwassaid。Atlengthheheardoncemorewhatthefathergoblinwassaying。
’Now，then，’hesaid，’getyourbundlesonyourbacks。Here，Helfer，I’llhelpyouupwithyourchest。’
’Iwishitwasmychest，father。’
’Yourturnwillcomeingoodtimeenough！Makehaste。Imustgotothemeetingatthepalacetonight。Whenthat’sover，wecancomebackandclearoutthelastofthethingsbeforeourenemiesreturninthemorning。Nowlightyourtorches，andcomealong。
Whatadistinctionitis，toprovideourownlight，insteadofbeingdependentonathinghungupintheair—amostdisagreeablecontrivance—intendednodoubttoblinduswhenweventureoutunderitsbalefulinfluence！Quiteglaringandvulgar，Icallit，thoughnodoubtusefultopoorcreatureswhohaven’tthewittomakelightforthemselves。’
Curdiecouldhardlykeephimselffromcallingthroughtoknowwhethertheymadethefiretolighttheirtorchesby。Butamoment’sreflectionshowedhimthattheywouldhavesaidtheydid，inasmuchastheystrucktwostonestogether，andthefirecame。
CHAPTER9
TheHalloftheGoblinPalaceAsoundofmanysoftfeetfollowed，butsoonceased。ThenCurdieflewattheholelikeatiger，andtoreandpulled。Thesidesgaveway，anditwassoonlargeenoughforhimtocrawlthrough。Hewouldnotbetrayhimselfbyrekindlinghislamp，butthetorchesoftheretreatingcompany，whichhefounddepartinginastraightlineupalongavenuefromthedooroftheircave，threwbacklightenoughtoaffordhimaglanceroundthedesertedhomeofthegoblins。Tohissurprise，hecoulddiscovernothingtodistinguishitfromanordinarynaturalcaveintherock，uponmanyofwhichhehadcomewiththerestoftheminersintheprogressoftheirexcavations。Thegoblinshadtalkedofcomingbackfortherestoftheirhouseholdgear：hesawnothingthatwouldhavemadehimsuspectafamilyhadtakenshelterthereforasinglenight。Thefloorwasroughandstony;thewallsfullofprojectingcorners;
theroofinoneplacetwentyfeethigh，inanotherendangeringhisforehead;whileononesideastream，nothickerthananeedle，itistrue，butstillsufficienttospreadawidedampnessoverthewall，floweddownthefaceoftherock。Butthetroopinfrontofhimwastoilingunderheavyburdens。HecoulddistinguishHelfernowandthen，intheflickeringlightandshade，withhisheavychestonhisbendingshoulders;whilethesecondbrotherwasalmostburiedinwhatlookedlikeagreatfeatherbed。’Wheredotheygetthefeathers？’thoughtCurdie;butinamomentthetroopdisappearedataturnoftheway，anditwasnowbothsafeandnecessaryforCurdietofollowthem，lesttheyshouldberoundthenextturningbeforehesawthemagain，forsohemightlosethemaltogether。Hedartedafterthemlikeagreyhound。Whenhereachedthecornerandlookedcautiouslyround，hesawthemagainatsomedistancedownanotherlongpassage。Noneofthegallerieshesawthatnightboresignsoftheworkofman—orofgoblineither。Stalactites，farolderthanthemines，hungfromtheirroofs;andtheirfloorswereroughwithbouldersandlargeroundstones，showingthattherewatermusthaveoncerun。Hewaitedagainatthiscornertilltheyhaddisappearedroundthenext，andsofollowedthemalongwaythroughonepassageafteranother。Thepassagesgrewmoreandmorelofty，andweremoreandmorecoveredintheroofwithshiningstalactites。
Itwasastrangeenoughprocessionwhichhefollowed。Butthestrangestpartofitwasthehouseholdanimalswhichcrowdedamongstthefeetofthegoblins。Itwastruetheyhadnowildanimalsdownthere—atleasttheydidnotknowofany;buttheyhadawonderfulnumberoftameones。Imust，however，reserveanycontributionstowardsthenaturalhistoryoftheseforalaterpositioninmystory。
Atlength，turningacornertooabruptly，hehadalmostrushedintothemiddleofthegoblinfamily;fortheretheyhadalreadysetdownalltheirburdensonthefloorofacaveconsiderablylargerthanthatwhichtheyhadleft。Theywereasyettoobreathlesstospeak，elsehewouldhavehadwarningoftheirarrest。Hestartedback，however，beforeanyonesawhim，andretreatingagoodway，stoodwatchingtillthefathershouldcomeouttogotothepalace。
Beforeverylong，bothheandhissonHelferappearedandkeptoninthesamedirectionasbefore，whileCurdiefollowedthemagainwithrenewedprecaution。Foralongtimeheheardnosoundexceptsomethingliketherushofariverinsidetherock;butatlengthwhatseemedthefar—offnoiseofagreatshoutingreachedhisears，which，however，presentlyceased。Afteradvancingagoodwayfarther，hethoughtheheardasinglevoice。Itsoundedclearerandclearerashewenton，untilatlasthecouldalmostdistinguishthewords。Inamomentortwo，keepingafterthegoblinsroundanothercorner，heoncemorestartedback—thistimeinamazement。
Hewasattheentranceofamagnificentcavern，ofanovalshape，onceprobablyahugenaturalreservoirofwater，nowthegreatpalacehallofthegoblins。Itrosetoatremendousheight，buttheroofwascomposedofsuchshiningmaterials，andthemultitudeoftorchescarriedbythegoblinswhocrowdedthefloorlighteduptheplacesobrilliantly，thatCurdiecouldseetothetopquitewell。Buthehadnoideahowimmensetheplacewasuntilhiseyeshadgotaccustomedtoit，whichwasnotforagoodmanyminutes。
Theroughprojectionsonthewalls，andtheshadowsthrownupwardsfromthembythetorches，madethesidesofthechamberlookasiftheywerecrowdedwithstatuesuponbracketsandpedestals，reachinginirregulartiersfromfloortoroof。Thewallsthemselveswere，inmanyparts，ofgloriouslyshiningsubstances，someofthemgorgeouslycolouredbesides，whichpowerfullycontrastedwiththeshadows。Curdiecouldnothelpwonderingwhetherhisrhymeswouldbeofanyuseagainstsuchamultitudeofgoblinsasfilledthefloorofthehall，andindeedfeltconsiderablytemptedtobeginhisshoutof’One，two，three！’，butastherewasnoreasonforroutingthemandmuchforendeavouringtodiscovertheirdesigns，hekepthimselfperfectlyquiet，andpeeringroundtheedgeofthedoorway，listenedwithbothhissharpears。
Attheotherendofthehall，highabovetheheadsofthemultitude，wasaterrace—likeledgeofconsiderableheight，causedbytherecedingoftheupperpartofthecavern—wall。Uponthissatthekingandhiscourt：thekingonathronehollowedoutofahugeblockofgreencopperore，andhiscourtuponlowerseatsaroundit。Thekinghadbeenmakingthemaspeech，andtheapplausewhichfolloweditwaswhatCurdiehadheard。Oneofthecourtwasnowaddressingthemultitude。Whatheheardhimsaywastothefollowingeffect：’HenceitappearsthattwoplanshavebeenforsometimetogetherworkinginthestrongheadofHisMajestyforthedeliveranceofhispeople。Regardlessofthefactthatwewerethefirstpossessorsoftheregionstheynowinhabit;
regardlessequallyofthefactthatweabandonedthatregionfromtheloftiestmotives;regardlessalsooftheself—evidentfactthatweexcelthemsofarinmentalabilityastheyexcelusinstature，theylookuponusasadegradedraceandmakeamockeryofallourfinerfeelings。But，thetimehasalmostarrivedwhen—thankstoHisMajesty’sinventivegenius—itwillbeinourpowertotakeathoroughrevengeuponthemonceforall，inrespectoftheirunfriendlybehaviour。’
’MayitpleaseYourMajesty—’criedavoiceclosebythedoor，whichCurdierecognizedasthatofthegoblinhehadfollowed。
’WhoishethatinterruptstheChancellor？’criedanotherfromnearthethrone。
’Glump，’answeredseveralvoices。
’Heisourtrustysubject，’saidthekinghimself，inaslowandstatelyvoice：’lethimcomeforwardandspeak。’
Alanewaspartedthroughthecrowd，andGlump，havingascendedtheplatformandbowedtotheking，spokeasfollows：
’Sire，Iwouldhaveheldmypeace，hadInotknownthatIonlyknewhownearwasthemoment，towhichtheChancellorhadjustreferred。
Inallprobability，beforeanotherdayispast，theenemywillhavebrokenthroughintomyhouse—thepartitionbetweenbeingevennownotmorethanafootinthickness。’
’Notquitesomuch，’thoughtCurdietohimself。
’ThisveryeveningIhavehadtoremovemyhouseholdeffects;
thereforethesoonerwearereadytocarryouttheplan，fortheexecutionofwhichHisMajestyhasbeenmakingsuchmagnificentpreparations，thebetter。Imayjustadd，thatwithinthelastfewdaysIhaveperceivedasmalloutbreakinmydining—room，which，combinedwithobservationsuponthecourseoftheriverescapingwheretheevilmenenter，hasconvincedmethatclosetothespotmustbeadeepgulfinitschannel。Thisdiscoverywill，Itrust，addconsiderablytotheotherwiseimmenseforcesatHisMajesty’sdisposal。’
Heceased，andthekinggraciouslyacknowledgedhisspeechwithabendofhishead;whereuponGlump，afterabowtoHisMajesty，sliddownamongsttherestoftheundistinguishedmultitude。ThentheChancellorroseandresumed。
’TheinformationwhichtheworthyGlumphasgivenus，’hesaid，’mighthavebeenofconsiderableimportatthepresentmoment，butforthatotherdesignalreadyreferredto，whichnaturallytakesprecedence。HisMajesty，unwillingtoproceedtoextremities，andwellawarethatsuchmeasuressoonerorlaterresultinviolentreactions，hasexcogitatedamorefundamentalandcomprehensivemeasure，ofwhichIneedsaynomore。ShouldHisMajestybesuccessful—aswhodarestodoubt？—thenapeace，alltotheadvantageofthegoblinkingdom，willbeestablishedforagenerationatleast，renderedabsolutelysecurebythepledgewhichHisRoyalHighnesstheprincewillhaveandholdforthegoodbehaviourofherrelatives。ShouldHisMajestyfail—whichwhoshalldareeventoimagineinhismostsecretthoughts？—thenwillbethetimeforcarryingoutwithrigourthedesigntowhichGlumpreferred，andforwhichourpreparationsareevennowallbutcompleted。Thefailureoftheformerwillrenderthelatterimperative。’
Curdie，perceivingthattheassemblywasdrawingtoacloseandthattherewaslittlechanceofeitherplanbeingmorefullydiscovered，nowthoughtitprudenttomakehisescapebeforethegoblinsbegantodisperse，andslippedquietlyaway。
Therewasnotmuchdangerofmeetinganygoblins，forallthemenatleastwereleftbehindhiminthepalace;buttherewasconsiderabledangerofhistakingawrongturning，forhehadnownolight，andhadthereforetodependuponhismemoryandhishands。AfterhehadleftbehindhimtheglowthatissuedfromthedoorofGlump’snewabode，hewasutterlywithoutguide，sofarashiseyeswereconcerned。
Hewasmostanxioustogetbackthroughtheholebeforethegoblinsshouldreturntofetchtheremainsoftheirfurniture。Itwasnotthathewasintheleastafraidofthem，but，asitwasoftheutmostimportancethatheshouldthoroughlydiscoverwhattheplanstheywerecherishingwere，hemustnotoccasiontheslightestsuspicionthattheywerewatchedbyaminer。
Hehurriedon，feelinghiswayalongthewallsofrock。Hadhenotbeenverycourageous，hemusthavebeenveryanxious，forhecouldnotbutknowthatifhelosthiswayitwouldbethemostdifficultthingintheworldtofinditagain。Morningwouldbringnolightintotheseregions;andtowardshimleastofall，whowasknownasaspecialrhymesterandpersecutor，couldgoblinsbeexpectedtoexercisecourtesy。Wellmighthewishthathehadbroughthislampandtinder—boxwithhim，ofwhichhehadnotthoughtwhenhecreptsoeagerlyafterthegoblins！Hewisheditallthemorewhen，afterawhile，hefoundhiswayblockedup，andcouldgetnofarther。Itwasofnousetoturnback，forhehadnottheleastideawherehehadbeguntogowrong。Mechanically，however，hekeptfeelingaboutthewallsthathemmedhimin。Hishandcameuponaplacewhereatinystreamofwaterwasrunningdownthefaceoftherock。’WhatastupidIam！’hesaidtohimself。’Iamactuallyattheendofmyjourney！Andtherearethegoblinscomingbacktofetchtheirthings！’headded，astheredglimmeroftheirtorchesappearedattheendofthelongavenuethatleduptothecave。Inamomenthehadthrownhimselfonthefloor，andwriggledbackwardsthroughthehole。Thefloorontheothersidewasseveralfeetlower，whichmadeiteasiertogetback。Itwasallhecoulddotoliftthelargeststonehehadtakenoutofthehole，buthedidmanagetoshoveitinagain。Hesatdownontheore—heapandthought。
Hewasprettysurethatthelatterplanofthegoblinswastoinundatetheminebybreakingoutletsforthewateraccumulatedinthenaturalreservoirsofthemountain，aswellasrunningthroughportionsofit。Whiletheparthollowedbytheminersremainedshutofffromthatinhabitedbythegoblins，theyhadhadnoopportunityofinjuringthemthus;butnowthatapassagewasbrokenthrough，andthegoblins’partprovedthehigherinthemountain，itwascleartoCurdiethattheminecouldbedestroyedinanhour。Waterwasalwaysthechiefdangertowhichtheminerswereexposed。Theymetwithalittlechoke—dampsometimes，butneverwiththeexplosivefiredampsocommonincoal—mines。Hencetheywerecarefulassoonastheysawanyappearanceofwater。
Astheresultofhisreflectionswhilethegoblinswerebusyintheiroldhome，itseemedtoCurdiethatitwouldbebesttobuildupthewholeofthisgang，fillingitwithstone，andclayorlie，sothatthereshouldbenosmallestchannelforthewatertogetinto。Therewasnot，however，anyimmediatedanger，fortheexecutionofthegoblins’planwascontingentuponthefailureofthatunknowndesignwhichwastotakeprecedenceofit;andhewasmostanxioustokeepthedoorofcommunicationopen，thathemightifpossiblediscoverwhattheformerplanwas。Atthesametimetheycouldnotresumetheirintermittedlaboursfortheinundationwithouthisfindingitout;whenbyputtingallhandstothework，theoneexistingoutletmightinasinglenightberenderedimpenetrabletoanyweightofwater;forbyfillingthegangentirelyup，theirembankmentwouldbebuttressedbythesidesofthemountainitself。
Assoonashefoundthatthegoblinshadagainretired，helightedhislamp，andproceededtofilltheholehehadmadewithsuchstonesashecouldwithdrawwhenhepleased。Hethenthoughtitbetter，ashemighthaveoccasiontobeupagoodmanynightsafterthis，togohomeandhavesomesleep。
Howpleasantthenightairfeltupontheoutsideofthemountainafterwhathehadgonethroughintheinsideofit！Hehurriedupthehillwithoutmeetingasinglegoblinontheway，andcalledandtappedatthewindowuntilhewokehisfather，whosoonroseandlethimin。Hetoldhimthewholestory;and，justashehadexpected，hisfatherthoughtitbesttoworkthatlodenofarther，butatthesametimetopretendoccasionallytobeatworktherestillinorderthatthegoblinsmighthavenosuspicions。Bothfatherandsonthenwenttobedandsleptsoundlyuntilthemorning。
CHAPTER10
ThePrincess’sKing—PapaTheweathercontinuedfineforweeks，andthelittleprincesswentouteveryday。Solongaperiodoffineweatherhadindeedneverbeenknownuponthatmountain。Theonlyuncomfortablethingwasthathernursewassonervousandparticularaboutbeinginbeforethesunwasdownthatoftenshewouldtaketoherheelswhennothingworsethanafleecycloudcrossingthesunthrewashadowonthehillside;andmanyaneveningtheywerehomeafullhourbeforethesunlighthadlefttheweather—cockonthestables。IfithadnotbeenforsuchoddbehaviourIrenewouldbythistimehavealmostforgottenthegoblins。SheneverforgotCurdie，buthimsherememberedforhisownsake，andindeedwouldhaverememberedhimifonlybecauseaprincessneverforgetsherdebtsuntiltheyarepaid。
Onesplendidsunshinyday，aboutanhourafternoon，Irene，whowasplayingonalawninthegarden，heardthedistantblastofabugle。Shejumpedupwithacryofjoy，forsheknewbythatparticularblastthatherfatherwasonhiswaytoseeher。Thispartofthegardenlayontheslopeofthehillandallowedafullviewofthecountrybelow。Sosheshadedhereyeswithherhandandlookedfarawaytocatchthefirstglimpseofshiningarmour。
Inafewmomentsalittletroopcameglitteringroundtheshoulderofahill。Spearsandhelmetsweresparklingandgleaming，bannerswereflying，horsesprancing，andagaincamethebugle—blastwhichwastoherlikethevoiceofherfathercallingacrossthedistance：’Irene，I’mcoming。’
Onandontheycameuntilshecouldclearlydistinguishtheking。
Herodeawhitehorseandwastallerthananyofthemenwithhim。
Heworeanarrowcircleofgoldsetwithjewelsaroundhishelmet，andashecamestillnearerIrenecoulddiscerntheflashingofthestonesinthesun。Itwasalongtimesincehehadbeentoseeher，andherlittleheartbeatfasterandfasterastheshiningtroopapproached，forshelovedherking—papaverydearlyandwasnowheresohappyasinhisarms。Whentheyreachedacertainpoint，afterwhichshecouldseethemnomorefromthegarden，sherantothegate，andtherestoodtilluptheycame，clangingandstamping，withonemorebrightbugle—blastwhichsaid：’Irene，Iamcome。’
Bythistimethepeopleofthehousewereallgatheredatthegate，butIrenestoodaloneinfrontofthem。Whenthehorsemenpulledupsherantothesideofthewhitehorseandheldupherarms。
Thekingstoppedandtookherhands。Inaninstantshewasonthesaddleandclaspedinhisgreatstrongarms。
IwishIcoulddescribethekingsothatyoucouldseehiminyourmind。Hehadgentle，blueeyes，butanosethatmadehimlooklikeaneagle。Alongdarkbeard，streakedwithsilverylines，flowedfromhismouthalmosttohiswaist，andasIrenesatonthesaddleandhidhergladfaceuponhisbosomitmingledwiththegoldenhairwhichhermotherhadgivenher，andthetwotogetherwerelikeacloudwithstreaksofthesunwoventhroughit。Afterhehadheldhertohisheartforaminutehespoketohiswhitehorse，andthegreatbeautifulcreature，whichhadbeenprancingsoproudlyalittlewhilebefore，walkedasgentlyasalady—forheknewhehadalittleladyonhisback—throughthegateanduptothedoorofthehouse。Thenthekingsetheronthegroundand，dismounting，tookherhandandwalkedwithherintothegreathall，whichwashardlyeverenteredexceptwhenhecametoseehislittleprincess。Therehesatdown，withtwoofhiscounsellorswhohadaccompaniedhim，tohavesomerefreshment，andIrenesatonhisrighthandanddrankhermilkoutofawoodenbowlcuriouslycarved。
Afterthekinghadeatenanddrunkheturnedtotheprincessandsaid，strokingherhair：
’Now，mychild，whatshallwedonext？’
Thiswasthequestionhealmostalwaysputtoherfirstaftertheirmealtogether;andIrenehadbeenwaitingforitwithsomeimpatience，fornow，shethought，sheshouldbeabletosettleaquestionwhichconstantlyperplexedher。
’Ishouldlikeyoutotakemetoseemygreatoldgrandmother。’
ThekinglookedgraveAndsaid：
’Whatdoesmylittledaughtermean？’
’ImeantheQueenIrenethatlivesupinthetower—theveryoldlady，youknow，withthelonghairofsilver。’
Thekingonlygazedathislittleprincesswithalookwhichshecouldnotunderstand。
’She’sgothercrowninherbedroom，’shewenton;’butI’venotbeeninthereyet。Youknowshe’sthere，don’tyou？’
’No，’saidtheking，veryquietly。
’Thenitmustallbeadream，’saidIrene。’Ihalfthoughtitwas;
butIcouldn’tbesure。NowIamsureofit。Besides，Icouldn’tfindherthenexttimeIwentup。’
Atthatmomentasnow—whitepigeonflewinatanopenwindowandsettleduponIrene’shead。Shebrokeintoamerrylaugh，coweredalittle，andputupherhandstoherhead，saying：
’Deardovey，don’tpeckme。You’llpulloutmyhairwithyourlongclawsifyoudon’tmind。’
Thekingstretchedouthishandtotakethepigeon，butitspreaditswingsandflewagainthroughtheopenwindow，whenitsWhitenessmadeoneflashinthesunandvanished。Thekinglaidhishandonhisprincess’shead，helditbackalittle，gazedinherface，smiledhalfasmile，andsighedhalfasigh。
’Come，mychild;we’llhaveawalkinthegardentogether，’hesaid。
’Youwon’tcomeupandseemyhuge，great，beautifulgrandmother，then，king—papa？’saidtheprincess。
’Notthistime，’saidthekingverygently。’Shehasnotinvitedme，youknow，andgreatoldladieslikeherdonotchoosetobevisitedwithoutleaveaskedandgiven。’
Thegardenwasaverylovelyplace。BeinguponaMountainsidetherewerepartsinitwheretherockscamethroughingreatmasses，andallimmediatelyaboutthemremainedquitewild。Tuftsofheathergrewuponthem，andotherhardymountainplantsandflowers，whilenearthemwouldbelovelyrosesandliliesandallpleasantgardenflowers。Thisminglingofthewildmountainwiththecivilizedgardenwasveryquaint，anditwasimpossibleforanynumberofgardenerstomakesuchagardenlookformalandstiff。
Againstoneoftheserockswasagardenseat，shadowedfromtheafternoonsunbytheoverhangingoftherockitself。Therewasalittlewindingpathuptothetopoftherock，andontopanotherseat;buttheysatontheseatatitsfootbecausethesunwashot;
andtheretheytalkedtogetherofmanythings。Atlengththekingsaid：
’Youwereoutlateoneevening，Irene。’
’Yes，papa。Itwasmyfault;andLootiewasverysorry。’
’ImusttalktoLootieaboutit，’saidtheking。
’Don’tspeakloudtoher，please，papa，’saidIrene。’She’sbeensoafraidofbeinglateeversince！Indeedshehasnotbeennaughty。Itwasonlyamistakeforonce。’
’Oncemightbetoooften，’murmuredthekingtohimself，ashestrokedhischild’shead。
Ican’ttellyouhowhehadcometoknow。IamsureCurdiehadnottoldhim。Someoneaboutthepalacemusthaveseenthem，afterall。
Hesatforagoodwhilethinking。Therewasnosoundtobeheardexceptthatofalittlestreamwhichranmerrilyoutofanopeningintherockbywheretheysat，andspedawaydownthehillthroughthegarden。Thenheroseand，leavingIrenewhereshewas，wentintothehouseandsentforLootie，withwhomhehadatalkthatmadehercry。
Whenintheeveningherodeawayuponhisgreatwhitehorse，heleftsixofhisattendantsbehindhim，withordersthatthreeofthemshouldwatchoutsidethehouseeverynight，walkingroundandrounditfromsunsettosunrise。Itwasclearhewasnotquitecomfortableabouttheprincess。
CHAPTER11
TheOldLady’sBedroomNothingmorehappenedworthtellingforsometime。Theautumncameandwentby。Therewerenomoreflowersinthegarden。Thewindblewstrong，andhowledamongtherocks。Therainfell，anddrenchedthefewyellowandredleavesthatcouldnotgetoffthebarebranches。Againandagaintherewouldbeagloriousmorningfollowedbyapouringafternoon，andsometimes，foraweektogether，therewouldberain，nothingbutrain，allday，andthenthemostlovelycloudlessnight，withtheskyalloutinfull—blownstars—notonemissing。Buttheprincesscouldnotseemuchofthem，forshewenttobedearly。Thewinterdrewon，andshefoundthingsgrowingdreary。Whenitwastoostormytogoout，andshehadgottiredofhertoys，Lootiewouldtakeheraboutthehouse，sometimestothehousekeeper’sroom，wherethehousekeeper，whowasagood，kindoldwoman，mademuchofher—sometimestotheservants’hallorthekitchen，whereshewasnotprincessmerely，butabsolutequeen，andranagreatriskofbeingspoiled。
Sometimesshewouldrunoffherselftotheroomwherethemen—at—armswhomthekinghadleftsat，andtheyshowedhertheirarmsandaccoutrementsanddidwhattheycouldtoamuseher。Stillattimesshefounditverydreary，andoftenandoftenwishedthatherhugegreatgrandmotherhadnotbeenadream。
Onemorningthenurseleftherwiththehousekeeperforawhile。
Toamusehersheturnedoutthecontentsofanoldcabinetuponthetable。Thelittleprincessfoundhertreasures，queerancientornaments，andmanythingstheuseofwhichshecouldnotimagine，farmoreinterestingthanherowntoys，andsatplayingwiththemfortwohoursormore。But，atlength，inhandlingacuriousold—fashionedbrooch，sheranthepinofitintoherthumb，andgavealittlescreamwiththesharpnessofthepain，butwouldhavethoughtlittlemoreofithadnotthepainincreasedandherthumbbeguntoswell。Thisalarmedthehousekeepergreatly。Thenursewasfetched;thedoctorwassentfor;herhandwaspoulticed，andlongbeforeherusualtimeshewasputtobed。Thepainstillcontinued，andalthoughshefellasleepanddreamedagoodmanydreams，therewasthepainalwaysineverydream。AtlastitwokeherUP。
Themoonwasshiningbrightlyintotheroom。Thepoulticehadfallenoffherhandanditwasburninghot。Shefanciedifshecouldholditintothemoonlightthatwouldcoolit。Soshegotoutofbed，withoutwakingthenursewholayattheotherendoftheroom，andwenttothewindow。Whenshelookedoutshesawoneofthemen—at—armswalkinginthegardenwiththemoonlightglancingonhisarmour。Shewasjustgoingtotaponthewindowandcallhim，forshewantedtotellhimallaboutit，whenshebethoughtherselfthatthatmightwakeLootie，andshewouldputherintoherbedagain。Sosheresolvedtogotothewindowofanotherroom，andcallhimfromthere。Itwassomuchnicertohavesomebodytotalktothantolieawakeinbedwiththeburningpaininherhand。Sheopenedthedoorverygentlyandwentthroughthenursery，whichdidnotlookintothegarden，togototheotherwindow。Butwhenshecametothefootoftheoldstaircasetherewasthemoonshiningdownfromsomewindowhighup，andmakingtheworm—eatenoaklookverystrangeanddelicateandlovely。Inamomentshewasputtingherlittlefeetoneaftertheotherinthesilverypathupthestair，lookingbehindasshewent，toseetheshadowtheymadeinthemiddleofthesilver。Somelittlegirlswouldhavebeenafraidtofindthemselvesthusaloneinthemiddleofthenight，butIrenewasaprincess。
Asshewentslowlyupthestair，notquitesurethatshewasnotdreaming，suddenlyagreatlongingwokeupinherhearttotryoncemorewhethershecouldnotfindtheoldladywiththesilveryhair。
’Ifsheisadream，’shesaidtoherself，’thenIamthelikeliertofindher，ifIamdreaming。’
Soupandupshewent，stairafterstair，untilsheCametothemanyrooms—alljustasshehadseenthembefore。Throughpassageafterpassageshesoftlysped，comfortingherselfthatifsheshouldloseherwayitwouldnotmattermuch，becausewhenshewokeshewouldfindherselfinherownbedwithLootienotfaroff。
But，asifshehadknowneverystepoftheway，shewalkedstraighttothedooratthefootofthenarrowstairthatledtothetower。
’WhatifIshouldrealreality—reallyfindmybeautifuloldgrandmotherupthere！’shesaidtoherselfasshecreptupthesteepsteps。
Whenshereachedthetopshestoodamomentlisteninginthedark，fortherewasnomoonthere。Yes！itwas！itwasthehumofthespinning—wheel！Whatadiligentgrandmothertoworkbothdayandnight！Shetappedgentlyatthedoor。
’Comein，Irene，’saidthesweetvoice。
Theprincessopenedthedoorandentered。Therewasthemoonlightstreaminginatthewindow，andinthemiddleofthemoonlightsattheoldladyinherblackdresswiththewhitelace，andhersilveryhairminglingwiththemoonlight，sothatyoucouldnothavetoldwhichwaswhich。’Comein，Irene，’shesaidagain。’CanyoutellmewhatIamspinning？’
’Shespeaks，’thoughtIrene，’justasifshehadseenmefiveminutesago，oryesterdayatthefarthest。—No，’sheanswered;’I
don’tknowwhatyouarespinning。Please，Ithoughtyouwereadream。Whycouldn’tIfindyoubefore，great—great—grandmother？’
’Thatyouarehardlyoldenoughtounderstand。Butyouwouldhavefoundmesoonerifyouhadn’tcometothinkIwasadream。Iwillgiveyouonereasonthoughwhyyoucouldn’tfindme。Ididn’twantyoutofindme。’
’Why，please？’
’BecauseIdidnotwantLootietoknowIwashere。’
’ButyoutoldmetotellLootie。’
’Yes。ButIknewLootiewouldnotbelieveyou。Ifsheweretoseemesittingspinninghere，shewouldn’tbelieveme，either。’
’Why？’
’Becauseshecouldn’t。Shewouldrubhereyes，andgoawayandsayshefeltqueer，andforgethalfofitandmore，andthensayithadbeenalladream。’
’Justlikeme，’saidIrene，feelingverymuchashamedofherself。
’Yes，agooddeallikeyou，butnotjustlikeyou;foryou’vecomeagain;andLootiewouldn’thavecomeagain。Shewouldhavesaid，No，no—shehadhadenoughofsuchnonsense。’
’IsitnaughtyofLootie，then？’
’Itwouldbenaughtyofyou。I’veneverdoneanythingforLootie。’
’Andyoudidwashmyfaceandhandsforme，’saidIrene，beginningtocry。
返回顶部