“I do not know what to suggest,” said the Dancing Master. “Perhaps it would be best if we do not return to the City of Nite, for the wicked creature may work harm to us all!”
“I shall return to the City of Nite,” said the Princess, as she stamped her foot, “for it is my throne and I will have it back!”
“And I will go with you,” Gran’pa cried, “and help you regain your throne!”
“We’ll all go!” Gran’ma cried, jumping to her feet and smoothing out her apron.
“It is a long hard road!” said the Dancing Master doubtfully. “Why not live here in the mountains where we shall not be troubled, for I myself have lived here for the last ten years and it is very agreeable!”
They followed the Dancing Master as he led the way up over the rocks until they came to a level place, at the back of which was a Cave.
The Dancing Master, with timber which he had hewn from the trees, had made the front part of a tiny Cottage, with a wide piazza to fit the opening of the Cave.
“This has been my home for ten years!” he said, “and the absence of Mrs. Tiptoe from it is all that keeps my happiness from being complete!”
When all had entered the little Cottage-Cave, the Dancing Master set the table and with Gran’ma’s help made tea.
When all were seated about the room (with the exception of the Soft-Voiced Cow, who was too large to enter the tiny doorway) the Princess said to Mr. Tiptoe, “Tell me of my father and mother. What did they think when they heard that I had changed into a wicked looking Witch?”