‘A little,’ said he ironically.
‘Well,’ said she, ‘it’s like this. I’m so ugly no one can bear to look at me. And I want to go as kitchenmaid to the palace. They want a cook and a scullion and a kitchenmaid. [p269 I thought perhaps you’d give me something to make me pretty. I’m only a poor beggar maid…. It would be a great thing to me if….’
‘Go along with you,’ said Taykin, very cross indeed. ‘I never give to beggars.’
‘Here’s twopence,’ whispered poor James, pressing it into her hand, ‘it’s all I’ve got left.’
‘Thank you,’ she whispered back. ‘You are good.’
And to the Magician she said:
‘I happen to have fifty pounds. I’ll give it you for a new face.’
‘Done,’ cried Taykin. ‘Here’s another stupid one!’ He grabbed the money, waved his wand, and then and there before the astonished eyes of the nurse and the apprentice the ugly beggar maid became the loveliest princess in the world.
‘Lor!’ said the nurse.
‘My dream!’ cried the apprentice.