‘Then I suppose the only thing to do is to go to the Palace and fetch the money. Good-bye till then, Ernalie.’
So Ernalie kissed the King and Queen, and watched them go down the garden walk to the carriage, and saw them get in. The guard of honour fired a royal salute, and they drove off at a gallop. But Ernalie turned back into the house where Mumkie was awaiting her.
‘I’ve got a friend coming here to-day, shortly, and I don’t want to have our conversation overheard, so when he comes you cut your stick. Go and perform some wholesome menial function—clean the plates. Understand? And don’t you listen at the door, miss.’
‘I am not in the habit of listening at doors, and you’d better call me “your Royal Highness,” if you please.’
‘And why, your Royal Highness?’
‘Because I’m a Princess.’
‘Oh, you are! Then, I suppose, you’re a foreigner? And they have a custom here with foreigners of boiling them alive. How would you like that, your Royal Highness?’
‘You daren’t do it,’ said the Princess; but all the same she felt rather frightened. Just then a knock came at the door.
‘That’s Wopole,’ said Mumkie, ‘so your Royal Highness may take yourself off, and if I catch you listening at the door I’ll skin you alive.’