"Ma'am," he said, or rather hissed, "you have saved our lives."
The Queen said, "I'm sure I'm very glad."
The poor gander blushed, not being used to speaking in public; but he began again bravely.
"Ma'am, seeing as how you're saved our lives, we've made up our minds to be your faithful servants, and to go where you go, and do what you do."
"I'm sure it's very good of you," the Queen said, not knowing exactly whether to be glad or sorry. "But I don't quite know where I am going; though, as it's getting late in the day, I think I'd better be moving on."
"Why don't you go back to the cottage?" the old gander said. "There'll be no one there to bother you now."
"It's rather a good idea," the Queen said. "I've a good mind to."
"Do," the geese said. "There's a nice river near by."
And, although the latter inducement was inconsiderable, the Queen did as she was asked. In their mad career they had come so great a distance that it was close on nightfall before they reached the cottage again.
There everything was quiet and as they had left it, only the fire had almost died away on the hearth.