"You must have a sister or a sweetheart," said the Princess Amber.
"Neither, your Royal Highness."
"Then," said the Princess, smiling, "you remember your mother."
"Now," said the King, as the three entered the cabinet, "I am ready to listen."
Gofaster then spoke of the insufficient means of light during the six months of night peculiar to the country, and spoke of his discovery of the gas springs.
"Yes," said the King, "we all know it; it is a great injury in rainy weather, when the stench is blown into the town, to the annoyance of our people as well as to ourself. Attempts have been made to fill these holes up, but everything thrown in is ejected with some force, or, if very heavy, disappears without making any marked change. If you could rid us of it you would confer the last of the three great favors of the state, and then—" With these words he glanced at Princess Amber, who blushed.
Gofaster now detailed his plan to the King, by which he hoped to conduct the gas—which was inflammable—safely into the royal palace and through the town for the purposes of illumination. The King was struck with the idea, but said it was impracticable on account of the expense. The taxes were already as high as the people could well bear, and the treasury was nearly empty.
"But," said Gofaster, "I have ample means, and I propose to do this at my own expense."
"You shall have our permission, and may make it a monopoly to your own advantage."
"That I do not desire," replied the giant. "It is enough if I can give more comfort to your people, and will aid in making your Majesty's reign still more notable."