Part 18 (1/2)
”My pretty pet,” said Dame Drusilda, ”you waste words with him. Let us ask some of these other creatures to help us. Maybe they are not as bad as their master.”
So she coquettishly sidled up to Grouthead, Boundingbore, Mandrake, Wolfinger, and Snoutpimple who stood near by in a highly interested group. But before she could say even a word Grouthead gathered her up in his arms, and held her out in the air, while in her fright she kept kicking the turned-in toes of her tiny shoes together.
”Don't be alarmed, my dear,” he croaked, in tones that were meant to be rea.s.suring. ”There's a heart here that beats for you, and you alone!”
”Where's the heart?” she gasped.
”In this troubled breast,” he roared. ”I've half a mind to marry you.”
”Put me down!” she screamed. ”I wouldn't marry anyone with half a mind!”
[Ill.u.s.tration]
Dragonfel rose, and stamped his foot angrily, at which silent rebuke Grouthead set Dame Drusilda hastily down. She gave a sigh of great relief, and, gathering up her skirts, flew toward the enchanter.
”Oh, sir,” she implored, ”can nothing move you?”
”Yes,” he said, in sneering tones, ”a ton of dynamite! You are a pippin, but you withered on the stem!”
”You villain!” she screamed, shaking a tiny clenched fist at him. ”I could annihilate you for that; you deserve worse!”
And she made for him again, but the tactful Violet and Daffodil grasped each of her arms, and held her back.
Dragonfel grinned most provokingly, and his myrmidons fairly shook with glee, while the Demon Usher cackled his exultation, and poked the Red Spirit on his elastic ribs.
t.i.tania took a little spider-web affair of a handkerchief from her bodice, for her eyes threatened to fill again.
Noting the coming tears, the wicked enchanter hastened to say, in tones that were meant to be particularly comforting:
”No harm shall befall you. When you have a wish you have but to name it.”
[Ill.u.s.tration]
”I have one now,” spoke up t.i.tania quickly.
”So have I,” added Dame Drusilda.
”I'll hear yours later,” said Dragonfel to the latter gruffly, and then turned to t.i.tania with what he thought was a most winning smile. ”What is yours?”
”I want my Brownie prince!”
”Didn't I tell you you were never going to see him again?” said the enchanter, in disgust. ”Ask me something else, and make it as hard as you can.”
But t.i.tania had no other wish, and Dame Drusilda was given no opportunity to make hers known.
The days dragged slowly by, and, though Dragonfel was not actually rough in the treatment of his captives, he still was most unkind in depriving them of the liberty for which they continually sighed. They were watched and spied upon continually, so there was little or no chance for escape.
[Ill.u.s.tration]