"Who taught you to dance so wonderfully, child?" asked the Queen, when she had kissed her little daughter, glad to see her look so unlike the sad, cross, or listless creature she usually found.
"The wind, Lady Queen," answered Betty, smiling.
"And where did you get the fine tales you tell?"
"From the birds, Lady Queen."
"And what do you do to have such rosy cheeks?"
"Eat brown bread and milk, Lady Queen."
"And how is it that a lonely child like you is so happy and good?"
"My father takes care of me, and my mother in heaven keeps me good, Lady Queen."
When Betty said that, the Queen put out her hand and drew the little girl closer, as if her tender heart pitied the motherless child and longed to help if she only knew how.
Just then the sound of horses' feet was heard in the great courtyard below, trumpets sounded, and every one knew that the king had come home from hunting. Presently, with a jingling of spurs and trampling of boots, he came along the terrace with some of his lords behind him.