"I have two visitors upstairs," she said, as the angry monarch stepped inside.
"What!" he shouted hoarsely, "bring them to me. How do I know but that they are enemies?"
"Indeed they are not," she replied, "as you will see in 500 short seconds."
"Ned, come down!" she called, "bring your friend with you, for I would have you meet the King!"
Ned turned to the giant, whose big face was twitching with terror. "He'll recognize me as sure as eggs is eggs!" he groaned.
"What! is that thunder?" exclaimed the King below, mistaking the giant's moan for a thunderclap, but before his question was answered Ned and his friend appeared at the head of the stairway.
After shaking hands with Ned in quite a friendly way the wicked King turned to the giant. "Ha, ha!" he cried, "have I not had the pleasure of meeting you before, my fine friend?"
The giant said nothing, for what could he say?
"Have I not met you before?" repeated the King, with a fierce gesture. "Methinks you would look better as a pine tree than a hulking giant," and before the words were fairly out of the King's mouth a stately pine tree was standing in the courtyard, through which the wind of the early morning made a moaning noise much like the pitiful groan of the poor, late giant.
"And you, my little cockatoo," continued the wicked King, turning quickly to Ned, "would look better in a cage!"