approve of such coarse tastes, you will find yourself mistaken. _I_
don't wear shoes for nothing."
"You must acknowledge, however," the king said, with a little groan,
"that this at least is no whim of Harelip's, but a matter of
state-policy. You are well aware that his gratification comes purely
from the pleasure of sacrificing himself to the public good. Does it
not, Harelip?"
"Yes, father; of course it does. Only it _will_ be nice to make her cry.
I'll have the skin taken off between her toes, and tie them up till they
grow together. Then her feet will be like other people's, and there will
be no occasion for her to wear shoes."
"Do you mean to insinuate _I've_ got toes, you unnatural wretch?"
cried
the queen; and she moved angrily toward Harelip. The councilor,
however,
who was betwixt them, leaned forward so as to prevent her touching
him,
but only as if to address the prince.
"Your royal Highness," he said, "possibly requires to be reminded that
Madhuri Noah
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