Part 14 (1/2)
They still shook their heads.
”But just you wait till you see them at the supper-table!” said the Dude decidedly.
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”Nevertheless,” said Florimel kindly, ”I trust we shall find some means for your enjoyment. Have you come far?”
”Yes,” said the leader, ”many leagues to do you honor. We crave your acceptance of these few, simple, unpretentious gifts as a trifling evidence of the distinguished consideration and esteem in which we hold your fair bride and yourself.”
It was plain that he had first carefully prepared and then committed to memory such a flowery speech.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
In their curiosity to examine the presents the Brownies began to circulate among the strangers.
When in doing so the Chinaman thoughtlessly put his head between the open scissors-blades the big, hulking fellow who held them could not repress an evil inclination, and snapped them together almost instantly so that the head was held between them in a vise-like grip.
Taking note of this another who had the snuffers clapped the hood forthwith over an ordinary Brownie so it looked as though he did not have a head.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
The leader angrily stamped his foot for them to desist from such rude, ill-mannered antics, whereupon the one reluctantly released the frightened Chinaman, while the other removed the snuffers from Brownie's head.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
”You must be weary and travel-stained from your long journey,” said Florimel, not knowing what to think.
”If you will come with me,” said t.i.tania hospitably, ”I will see that your wants are provided for.”
The new guests at a signal from their leader rose, and when he bowed his acknowledgment of the proffered courtesy they clumsily followed his example, while the imps gloatingly patted their stomachs.
t.i.tania motioned to Dame Drusilda, Violet, Daffodil, and some other fairies to accompany her, and they led the strangers up the steps into the palace.
Florimel was strongly tempted to follow, but just then King Stanislaus and the Policeman arrived very much out of breath.
They had come singly, and from opposite directions. Just outside the portcullis the Policeman had overtaken His Majesty, and they entered the palace-garden together.
”Officer,” said King Stanislaus, ”have you anything to report?”
”Yes, sire,” said the Policeman, twirling his club. ”The path I took didn't keep straight. My footsteps got so crooked that I had to arrest them.”
”What did you discover?”
”Nothing.”
”What was it?”
”I said nothing, sire.”
”But nothing's something.”