"And pray, sire, where did you hear about that? It's a chapter of my early history I hoped had never got about!"
"Oh, I have read all about the Ugly Duckling!" replied Cedric, persuaded that the information would fill the Swan with pride.
"Why, you don't mean to say—! Do you—do you tell me that—" screamed the Swan furiously, almost choked with indignation, and it could not finish its sentences. Then in a quieter, but still in an angry, voice, it continued: "To think of it! Why, I plumed myself on its having been kept out of print! So that family scandal has got round after all!" And in defiance of all etiquette, the swan turned tail and waddled off.
"The audience is over!" cried Cedric indignantly.
Whereupon the deputation hastily withdrew.
"Guide, sire?" inquired a gnome, suddenly presenting himself and going down on one knee. "Guide to the fairy ring?"
"Yes, please," and he followed him to where a number of peacocks stood on guard with their tails magnificently spread.
"Have you twopence?" asked the guide anxiously.
"I'm not sure," answered Cedric, fumbling in his pocket.
"If not, I'm afraid you can't be let in, sire." The gnome was looking afraid that the king might not fall, after all, into the little trap he was preparing.