Stories Oct, 2013 | Page 497

and the prime minister were talking together. He was sure of the queen by her shoes, for as she warmed her feet at the fire, he saw them quite plainly. "That _will_ be fun!" said the one he took for the crown-prince. It was the first whole sentence he heard. "I don't see why you should think it such a grand affair!" said his stepmother, tossing her head backward. "You must remember, my spouse," interposed his Majesty, as if making excuse for his son, "he has got the same blood in him. His mother--" "Don't talk to me of his mother! You positively encourage his unnatural fancies. Whatever belongs to _that_ mother, ought to be cut out of him." "You forget yourself, my dear!" said the king. "I don't," said the queen, "nor you either. If you expect _me_ to Madhuri Noah C:\Users\MNoah\Documents\The Princess and the Goblin1.docx Page 496 of 634