‘Then let him come with us,’ said the King royally, ‘he can help me reign, or fish in the palace lake, whichever he prefers.’
[p146]
‘Thankee,’ said Sep’s father, ‘I’ll come and fish.’
‘Your mother too,’ said the Mussel Queen, kissing Sep’s mother.
‘Ah,’ said Sep’s mother, ‘you’re a lady, every inch. I’ll go to the world’s end with you.’
So they all went back by way of the foreign country where Sep had found his Princess, and they called on the old lord. He had lost his hump, and they easily persuaded him to come with them.
‘You can help me reign if you like, or we have a nice book or two in the palace library,’ said the Mussel King.
‘Thank you,’ said the old lord, ‘I’ll come and be your librarian if I may. Reigning isn’t at all in my line.’
Then they went on to Sep’s father-in-law, and when he saw how happy they all were together he said:
‘Bless my beard but I’ve half a mind to come with you.’
‘Come along,’ said the Mussel King, ‘you shall help me reign if you like … or….’