‘The people of the town—oh, they never come near me, although they are glad to buy butter and milk and eggs of me in the market. They think it seems grand to say they buy their things of a king; but they never trouble about me at all except for that.’
Just at this moment the old lady, thinking it her turn to say something, said:
‘By the bye, you have not told us your name yet.’
‘Would you like it in full, or only what I’m generally called?’ asked the Princess.
‘Oh, say it in full, unless you’ve any objection.’
‘Well, you see, it’s rather long; it generally takes about a quarter of an hour to say, only if you want it particularly I’ll tell you.’
But the Queen answered:
‘Ah! well, perhaps we’ll wait for a time, until we’ve got leisure to listen to it. Meanwhile you might tell us what the short of it is.’
‘They generally call me the Princess Ernalie. Now you might tell me your name, if you don’t mind.’