Stories Oct, 2013 | Page 390

his daughter to kiss the miner-boy, he would not have had her break her word for all the goblins in creation. But, as I say, the nurse was not lady enough to understand this, and so she was in a great difficulty, for, if she insisted, some one might hear the princess cry and run to see, and then all would come out. But here Curdie came again to the rescue. "Never mind, Princess Irene," he said. "You mustn't kiss me to-night. But you sha'n't break your word. I will come another time. You may be sure I will." "Oh, thank you, Curdie!" said the princess, and stopped crying. "Good night, Irene; good night, Lootie," said Curdie, and turned and was out of sight in a moment. "I should like to see him!" muttered the nurse, as she carried the princess to the nursery. "You _will_ see him," said Irene. "You may be sure Curdie will keep his word. He's _sure_ to come again." Madhuri Noah C:\Users\MNoah\Documents\The Princess and the Goblin1.docx Page 389 of 634