neither make verses themselves, nor remember the verses that other
people made for them; while those who were never afraid were those
who
could make verses for themselves; for although there were certain old
rhymes which were very effectual, yet it was well known that a new
rhyme, if of the right sort, was even more distasteful to them, and
therefore more effectual in putting them to flight.
Perhaps my readers may be wondering what the goblins could be
about,
working all night long, seeing they never carried up the ore and sold
it; but when I have informed them concerning what Curdie learned the
very next night, they will be able to understand.
For Curdie had determined, if his father would permit him, to remain
there alone this night--and that for two reasons: first, he wanted to
get extra wages in order that he might buy a very warm red petticoat
for
his mother, who had begun to complain of the cold of the mountain air
sooner than usual this autumn; and second, he had just a faint
glimmering of hope of finding out what the goblins were about under
his
window the night before.
Madhuri Noah
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