noises. The princess greeted them all as she nestled in her father's
bosom, and the king did not set her down until she had told them all
the
story. But she had more to tell about Curdie than about herself, and
what she did tell about herself none of them could understand except
the
king and Curdie, who stood by the king's knee stroking the neck of the
great white horse. And still as she told what Curdie had done, Sir
Walter and others added to what she told, even Lootie joining in the
praises of his courage and energy.
Curdie held his peace, looking quietly up in the king's face. And his
mother stood on the outskirts of the crowd listening with delight, for
her son's deeds were pleasant in her ears, until the princess caught
sight of her.
"And there is his mother, king-papa!" she said. "See--there. She is such
a nice mother, and has been so kind to me!"
They all parted asunder as the king made a sign to her to come
forward.
She obeyed, and he gave her his hand, but could not speak.
Madhuri Noah
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