‘Good gracious,’ said the Princess jumping. ‘I didn’t know bats could talk.’
‘Every one can talk,’ said the Bat, ‘but not every one can hear other people talking. You have a fine ear as well as a fine heart.’
‘Will your wing ever get well?’ asked the Princess.
‘I hope so,’ said the Bat. ‘But let’s talk
about you. Do you know why you wear a veil every day except Sundays?’
‘Doesn’t everybody?’ asked Belinda.
‘Only here in the palace,’ said the Bat, ‘that’s on your account.’
‘But why?’ asked the Princess.
‘Look in the glass and you’ll know.’
‘But it’s wicked to look in the glass except on Sundays—and besides they’re all put away,’ said the Princess.