‘But I’m afraid it wouldn’t reach him,’ said the Princess.
‘Then I don’t see what’s to be done,’ said the King perplexedly. ‘However, I shall give a grand ball to-morrow, and if I were you I should go and have a dress made at once. Send for the Court dressmaker, and tell her that if the dress isn’t ready by then you’ll turn her out of her place; and then when you’ve done that go into the library, and take a book and read. I’ve got a whole lot of work to do this morning; but I shall have finished by one, and then I shall have the day to myself.’
‘But can’t I stay with you while you work? I will be very quiet.’
But the King shook his head.
‘No—there’s a good girl. I’ve got a whole lot of people to give audience to, and they’ll take up such a lot of time congratulating you that I shall not get a stroke of work done.’
So the Princess went and was measured for her ball-dress, and then into the library, and looked about for a book.
Most of them looked very dry and uninteresting, so the Princess took one at a venture.
It was called The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer.
‘Chaucer,’ said the Princess to herself, ‘I’ve heard of him. I’ll just take it on to the terrace and read it in the arbour. It’s better than sitting in this stuffy old library.’
So she opened one of the windows that led on to the steps of the terrace, and taking the book with her, stepped out of the room.