“Your dear mother, the Queen, came to the City of Nite at once,” the Dancing Master answered, “but the Witch who pretended to be you would not see her, saying that it would not do to see her mother as she was too ugly; so your mother returned without seeing the wicked creature at all!”
“I am sure your Mamma would have known it was not you!” said Janey.
During all this time Johnny had been very thoughtful. Presently he asked, “When you traveled in the Magic Umbrella, how did you guide it?”
“The first time I rode in it,” the Dancing Master answered, “I did not guide it. I came down without any thought of where I was going, but as there was not a thing near by, I stepped back into the Magic Umbrella and wished it would fly to a town, and sure enough it flew there! All you have to do,” he continued, “is to sit in it and wish it to go somewhere!”
“Then,” said Johnny, “I have a suggestion! Let us all sit in the umbrella and wish it to take us to the City of Nite!”
“That’s a fine idea!” cried the Princess, clapping her hands. “Let us go there immediately!”
The Dancing Master carried the Magic Umbrella out upon the level place in front of the Cottage-Cave. Then he stood and scratched his head.
“Can we all get into it?” he wondered.
It was scarcely large enough for them all, even if they sat upon the edges, and while they were all squeezing into the Magic Umbrella the Soft-Voiced Cow walked up.
