Stories Oct, 2013 | Page 77

why all the men, and women too, upstairs wear shoes. They can't bear the sight of their own feet without them." "Ah! now I understand. If ever you wish for shoes again, Helfer, I'll hit your feet--I will." "No, no, mother; pray don't." "Then don't you." "But with such a big box on my head--" A horrid scream followed, which Curdie interpreted as in reply to a blow from his mother upon the feet of her eldest goblin. "Well, I never knew so much before!" remarked a fourth voice. "Your knowledge is not universal quite yet," said the father. "You were only fifty last month. Mind you see to the bed and bedding. As soon as we've finished our supper, we'll be up and going. Ha! ha! ha!" Madhuri Noah C:\Users\MNoah\Documents\The Princess and the Goblin1.docx Page 76 of 634