“Know ye,” began the old man in a high, shaky voice, “know ye that unless ye Prince of ye ancient and honorable Kingdom of Pumperdink wed ye Proper Fairy Princess in ye proper span of time ye Kingdom of Pumperdink shall disappear forever and even longer from ye Gilliken country of Oz. J. G.”
“What?” screamed Pompadore, bounding to his feet. “Me? But I don’t want to marry!”
“You’ll have to,” groaned the King, with a wave at the scroll. The Courtiers sat staring at one another in dazed disbelief. From the courtyard came the splash and splutter of the luckless footmen and the dismal creaking of the stone bucket.
“Oh!” wailed Pompa, throwing up his hands. “This is the worst eighteenth birthday I’ve ever had. I’ll never have another as long as I live!”
Chapter 2
Picking a Proper Princess
“What shall we do first?” groaned the King, holding his head with both hands. “Let me think!”
“Right,” said Kabumpo. “Think by all means.”