CONTENTS
1。WhythePrincessHasaStoryAboutHer2。ThePrincessLosesHerself3。ThePrincessand—WeShallSeeWho4。WhattheNurseThoughtofIt5。ThePrincessLetsWellAlone6。TheLittleMiner7。TheMines8。TheGoblins9。TheHalloftheGoblinPalace10。ThePrincess’sKing—Papa11。TheOldLady’sBedroom12。AShortChapterAboutCurdie13。TheCobs’Creatures14。ThatNightWeek15。WovenandthenSpun16。TheRing17。Springtime18。Curdie’sClue19。GoblinCounsels20。Irene’sClue21。TheEscape22。TheOldLadyandCurdie23。CurdieandHisMother24。IreneBehavesLikeaPrincess25。CurdieComestoGrief26。TheGoblin—Miners27。TheGoblinsintheKing’sHouse28。Curdie’sGuide29。Masonwork30。TheKingandtheKiss31。TheSubterraneanWaters32。TheLastChapterCHAPTER1
WhythePrincessHasaStoryAboutHerTherewasoncealittleprincesswhosefatherwaskingoveragreatcountryfullofmountainsandvalleys。Hispalacewasbuiltupononeofthemountains，andwasverygrandandbeautiful。Theprincess，whosenamewasIrene，wasbornthere，butshewassentsoonafterherbirth，becausehermotherwasnotverystrong，tobebroughtupbycountrypeopleinalargehouse，halfcastle，halffarmhouse，onthesideofanothermountain，abouthalf—waybetweenitsbaseanditspeak。
Theprincesswasasweetlittlecreature，andatthetimemystorybeginswasabouteightyearsold，Ithink，butshegotolderveryfast。Herfacewasfairandpretty，witheyesliketwobitsofnightsky，eachwithastardissolvedintheblue。Thoseeyesyouwouldhavethoughtmusthaveknowntheycamefromthere，sooftenweretheyturnedupinthatdirection。Theceilingofhernurserywasblue，withstarsinit，asliketheskyastheycouldmakeit。
ButIdoubtifevershesawtherealskywiththestarsinit，forareasonwhichIhadbettermentionatonce。
Thesemountainswerefullofhollowplacesunderneath;hugecaverns，andwindingways，somewithwaterrunningthroughthem，andsomeshiningwithallcoloursoftherainbowwhenalightwastakenin。Therewouldnothavebeenmuchknownaboutthem，hadtherenotbeenminesthere，greatdeeppits，withlonggalleriesandpassagesrunningofffromthem，whichhadbeendugtogetattheoreofwhichthemountainswerefull。Inthecourseofdigging，theminerscameuponmanyofthesenaturalcaverns。Afewofthemhadfar—offopeningsoutonthesideofamountain，orintoaravine。
Nowinthesesubterraneancavernslivedastrangeraceofbeings，calledbysomegnomes，bysomekobolds，bysomegoblins。Therewasalegendcurrentinthecountrythatatonetimetheylivedaboveground，andwereverylikeotherpeople。Butforsomereasonorother，concerningwhichthereweredifferentlegendarytheories，thekinghadlaidwhattheythoughttooseveretaxesuponthem，orhadrequiredobservancesofthemtheydidnotlike，orhadbeguntotreatthemwithmoreseverity，insomewayorother，andimposestricterlaws;andtheconsequencewasthattheyhadalldisappearedfromthefaceofthecountry。Accordingtothelegend，however，insteadofgoingtosomeothercountry，theyhadalltakenrefugeinthesubterraneancaverns，whencetheynevercameoutbutatnight，andthenseldomshowedthemselvesinanynumbers，andnevertomanypeopleatonce。Itwasonlyintheleastfrequentedandmostdifficultpartsofthemountainsthattheyweresaidtogatherevenatnightintheopenair。Thosewhohadcaughtsightofanyofthemsaidthattheyhadgreatlyalteredinthecourseofgenerations;andnowonder，seeingtheylivedawayfromthesun，incoldandwetanddarkplaces。Theywerenow，notordinarilyugly，buteitherabsolutelyhideous，orludicrouslygrotesquebothinfaceandform。Therewasnoinvention，theysaid，ofthemostlawlessimaginationexpressedbypenorpencil，thatcouldsurpasstheextravaganceoftheirappearance。ButIsuspectthosewhosaidsohadmistakensomeoftheiranimalcompanionsforthegoblinsthemselves—ofwhichmorebyandby。Thegoblinsthemselveswerenotsofarremovedfromthehumanassuchadescriptionwouldimply。Andastheygrewmisshapeninbodytheyhadgrowninknowledgeandcleverness，andnowwereabletodothingsnomortalcouldseethepossibilityof。Butastheygrewincunning，theygrewinmischief，andtheirgreatdelightwasineverywaytheycouldthinkoftoannoythepeoplewholivedintheopen—airstoreyabovethem。Theyhadenoughofaffectionleftforeachothertopreservethemfrombeingabsolutelycruelforcruelty’ssaketothosethatcameintheirway;butstilltheysoheartilycherishedtheancestralgrudgeagainstthosewhooccupiedtheirformerpossessionsandespeciallyagainstthedescendantsofthekingwhohadcausedtheirexpulsion，thattheysoughteveryopportunityoftormentingtheminwaysthatwereasoddastheirinventors;andalthoughdwarfedandmisshapen，theyhadstrengthequaltotheircunning。Intheprocessoftimetheyhadgotakingandagovernmentoftheirown，whosechiefbusiness，beyondtheirownsimpleaffairs，wastodevisetroublefortheirneighbours。Itwillnowbeprettyevidentwhythelittleprincesshadneverseentheskyatnight。Theyweremuchtooafraidofthegoblinstoletheroutofthehousethen，evenincompanywitheversomanyattendants;andtheyhadgoodreason，asweshallseebyandby。
CHAPTER2
ThePrincessLosesHerselfIhavesaidthePrincessIrenewasabouteightyearsoldwhenmystorybegins。Andthisishowitbegins。
Oneverywetday，whenthemountainwascoveredwithmistwhichwasconstantlygatheringitselftogetherintoraindrops，andpouringdownontheroofsofthegreatoldhouse，whenceitfellinafringeofwaterfromtheeavesallroundaboutit，theprincesscouldnotofcoursegoout。Shegotverytired，sotiredthatevenhertoyscouldnolongeramuseher。YouwouldwonderatthatifI
hadtimetodescribetoyouonehalfofthetoysshehad。Butthen，youwouldn’thavethetoysthemselves，andthatmakesallthedifference：youcan’tgettiredofathingbeforeyouhaveit。Itwasapicture，though，worthseeing—theprincesssittinginthenurserywiththeskyceilingoverherhead，atagreattablecoveredwithhertoys。Iftheartistwouldliketodrawthis，I
shouldadvisehimnottomeddlewiththetoys。Iamafraidofattemptingtodescribethem，andIthinkhehadbetternottrytodrawthem。Hehadbetternot。HecandoathousandthingsI
can’t，butIdon’tthinkhecoulddrawthosetoys。Nomancouldbettermaketheprincessherselfthanhecould，though—leaningwithherbackbowedintothebackofthechair，herheadhangingdown，andherhandsinherlap，verymiserableasshewouldsayherself，notevenknowingwhatshewouldlike，exceptitweretogooutandgetthoroughlywet，andcatchaparticularlynicecold，andhavetogotobedandtakegruel。Thenextmomentafteryouseehersittingthere，hernursegoesoutoftheroom。
Eventhatisachange，andtheprincesswakesupalittle，andlooksabouther。Thenshetumblesoffherchairandrunsoutofthedoor，notthesamedoorthenursewentoutof，butonewhichopenedatthefootofacuriousoldstairofworm—eatenoak，whichlookedasifneveranyonehadsetfootuponit。Shehadoncebeforebeenupsixsteps，andthatwassufficientreason，insuchaday，fortryingtofindoutwhatwasatthetopofit。
Upandupsheran—suchalongwayitseemedtoher！—untilshecametothetopofthethirdflight。Thereshefoundthelandingwastheendofalongpassage。Intothissheran。Itwasfullofdoorsoneachside。Thereweresomanythatshedidnotcaretoopenany，butranontotheend，wheresheturnedintoanotherpassage，alsofullofdoors。Whenshehadturnedtwicemore，andstillsawdoorsandonlydoorsabouther，shebegantogetfrightened。Itwassosilent！Andallthosedoorsmusthideroomswithnobodyinthem！Thatwasdreadful。Alsotherainmadeagreattramplingnoiseontheroof。Sheturnedandstartedatfullspeed，herlittlefootstepsechoingthroughthesoundsoftherain—backforthestairsandhersafenursery。Soshethought，butshehadlostherselflongago。Itdoesn’tfollowthatshewaslost，becauseshehadlostherself，though。
Sheranforsomedistance，turnedseveraltimes，andthenbegantobeafraid。Verysoonshewassurethatshehadlostthewayback。
Roomseverywhere，andnostair！Herlittleheartbeatasfastasherlittlefeetran，andalumpoftearswasgrowinginherthroat。
Butshewastooeagerandperhapstoofrightenedtocryforsometime。Atlastherhopefailedher。Nothingbutpassagesanddoorseverywhere！Shethrewherselfonthefloor，andburstintoawailingcrybrokenbysobs。
Shedidnotcrylong，however，forshewasasbraveascouldbeexpectedofaprincessofherage。Afteragoodcry，shegotup，andbrushedthedustfromherfrock。Oh，whatolddustitwas！
Thenshewipedhereyeswithherhands，forprincessesdon’talwayshavetheirhandkerchiefsintheirpockets，anymorethansomeotherlittlegirlsIknowof。Next，likeatrueprincess，sheresolvedongoingwiselytoworktofindherwayback：shewouldwalkthroughthepassages，andlookineverydirectionforthestair。
Thisshedid，butwithoutsuccess。Shewentoverthesamegroundagainanagainwithoutknowingit，forthepassagesanddoorswereallalike。Atlast，inacorner，throughahalf—opendoor，shedidseeastair。Butalas！itwentthewrongway：insteadofgoingdown，itwentup。Frightenedasshewas，however，shecouldnothelpwishingtoseewhereyetfurtherthestaircouldlead。Itwasverynarrow，andsosteepthatshewentonlikeafour—leggedcreatureonherhandsandfeet。
CHAPTER3
ThePrincessand—WeShallSeeWhoWhenshecametothetop，shefoundherselfinalittlesquareplace，withthreedoors，twooppositeeachother，andoneoppositethetopofthestair。Shestoodforamoment，withoutanideainherlittleheadwhattodonext。Butasshestood，shebegantohearacurioushummingsound。Coulditbetherain？No。Itwasmuchmoregentle，andevenmonotonousthanthesoundoftherain，whichnowshescarcelyheard。Thelowsweethummingsoundwenton，sometimesstoppingforalittlewhileandthenbeginningagain。Itwasmorelikethehumofaveryhappybeethathadfoundarichwellofhoneyinsomeglobularflower，thananythingelseIcanthinkofatthismoment。Wherecoulditcomefrom？Shelaidherearfirsttooneofthedoorstohearkenifitwasthere—thentoanother。Whenshelaidherearagainstthethirddoor，therecouldbenodoubtwhereitcamefrom：itmustbefromsomethinginthatroom。Whatcoulditbe？Shewasratherafraid，buthercuriositywasstrongerthanherfear，andsheopenedthedoorverygentlyandpeepedin。Whatdoyouthinkshesaw？Averyoldladywhosatspinning。
Perhapsyouwillwonderhowtheprincesscouldtellthattheoldladywasanoldlady，whenIinformyouthatnotonlywasshebeautiful，butherskinwassmoothandwhite。Iwilltellyoumore。Herhairwascombedbackfromherforeheadandface，andhungloosefardownandalloverherback。Thatisnotmuchlikeanoldlady—isit？Ah！butitwaswhitealmostassnow。Andalthoughherfacewassosmooth，hereyeslookedsowisethatyoucouldnothavehelpedseeingshemustbeold。Theprincess，thoughshecouldnothavetoldyouwhy，didthinkherveryoldindeed—
quitefifty，shesaidtoherself。Butshewasratherolderthanthat，asyoushallhear。
Whiletheprincessstaredbewildered，withherheadjustinsidethedoor，theoldladyliftedhers，andsaid，inasweet，butoldandrathershakyvoice，whichmingledverypleasantlywiththecontinuedhumofherwheel：
’Comein，mydear;comein。Iamgladtoseeyou。’
Thattheprincesswasarealprincessyoumightseenowquiteplainly;forshedidn’thangontothehandleofthedoor，andstarewithoutmoving，asIhaveknownsomedowhooughttohavebeenprincessesbutwereonlyrathervulgarlittlegirls。Shedidasshewastold，steppedinsidethedooratonce，andshutitgentlybehindher。
’Cometome，mydear，’saidtheoldlady。
Andagaintheprincessdidasshewastold。Sheapproachedtheoldlady—ratherslowly，Iconfess—butdidnotstopuntilshestoodbyherside，andlookedupinherfacewithherblueeyesandthetwomeltedstarsinthem。
’Why，whathaveyoubeendoingwithyoureyes，child？’askedtheoldlady。
’Crying，’answeredtheprincess。
’Why，child？’
’BecauseIcouldn’tfindmywaydownagain。’
’Butyoucouldfindyourwayup。’
’Notatfirst—notforalongtime。’
’Butyourfaceisstreakedlikethebackofazebra。Hadn’tyouahandkerchieftowipeyoureyeswith？’
’No。’
’Thenwhydidn’tyoucometometowipethemforyou？’
’Please，Ididn’tknowyouwerehere。Iwillnexttime。’
’There’sagoodchild！’saidtheoldlady。
Thenshestoppedherwheel，androse，and，goingoutoftheroom，returnedwithalittlesilverbasinandasoftwhitetowel，withwhichshewashedandwipedthebrightlittleface。Andtheprincessthoughtherhandsweresosmoothandnice！
Whenshecarriedawaythebasinandtowel，thelittleprincesswonderedtoseehowstraightandtallshewas，for，althoughshewassoold，shedidn’tstoopabit。Shewasdressedinblackvelvetwiththickwhiteheavy—lookinglaceaboutit;andontheblackdressherhairshonelikesilver。Therewashardlyanymorefurnitureintheroomthantheremighthavebeeninthatofthepoorestoldwomanwhomadeherbreadbyherspinning。Therewasnocarpetonthefloor—notableanywhere—nothingbutthespinning—wheelandthechairbesideit。Whenshecameback，shesatdownandwithoutawordbeganherspinningoncemore，whileIrene，whohadneverseenaspinning—wheel，stoodbyhersideandlookedon。Whentheoldladyhadgotherthreadfairlygoingagain，shesaidtotheprincess，butwithoutlookingather：
’Doyouknowmyname，child？’
’No，Idon’tknowit，’answeredtheprincess。
’mynameisIrene。’
’That’smyname！’criedtheprincess。
’Iknowthat。Iletyouhavemine。Ihaven’tgotyourname。
You’vegotmine。’
’Howcanthatbe？’askedtheprincess，bewildered。’I’vealwayshadmyname。’
’Yourpapa，theking，askedmeifIhadanyobjectiontoyourhavingit;and，ofcourse，Ihadn’t。Iletyouhaveitwithpleasure。’
’Itwasverykindofyoutogivemeyourname—andsuchaprettyone，’saidtheprincess。
’Oh，notsoverykind！’saidtheoldlady。’Anameisoneofthosethingsonecangiveawayandkeepallthesame。Ihaveagoodmanysuchthings。Wouldn’tyouliketoknowwhoIam，child？’
’Yes，thatIshould—verymuch。’
’I’myourgreat—great—grandmother，’saidthelady。
’What’sthat？’askedtheprincess。
’I’myourfather’smother’sfather’smother。’
’Oh，dear！Ican’tunderstandthat，’saidtheprincess。
’Idaresaynot。Ididn’texpectyouwould。Butthat’snoreasonwhyIshouldn’tsayit。’
’Oh，no！’answeredtheprincess。
’Iwillexplainitalltoyouwhenyouareolder，’theladywenton。’Butyouwillbeabletounderstandthismuchnow：Icameheretotakecareofyou。’
’Isitlongsinceyoucame？Wasityesterday？Orwasittoday，becauseitwassowetthatIcouldn’tgetout？’
’I’vebeenhereeversinceyoucameyourself。’
’Whatalongtime！’saidtheprincess。’Idon’trememberitatall。’
’No。Isupposenot。’
’ButIneversawyoubefore。’
’No。Butyoushallseemeagain。’
’Doyouliveinthisroomalways？’
’Idon’tsleepinit。Isleepontheoppositesideofthelanding。
Isitheremostoftheday。’
’Ishouldn’tlikeit。Mynurseryismuchprettier。Youmustbeaqueentoo，ifyouaremygreatbiggrand—mother。’
’Yes，Iamaqueen。’
’Whereisyourcrown，then？’
’Inmybedroom。’
’Ishouldliketoseeit。’
’Youshallsomeday—nottoday。’
’Iwonderwhynursienevertoldme。’
’Nursiedoesn’tknow。Sheneversawme。’
’Butsomebodyknowsthatyouareinthehouse？’
’No;nobody。’
’Howdoyougetyourdinner，then？’
’Ikeeppoultry—ofasort。’
’Wheredoyoukeepthem？’
’Iwillshowyou。’
’Andwhomakesthechickenbrothforyou？’
’IneverkillanyofMYchickens。’
’ThenIcan’tunderstand。’
’Whatdidyouhaveforbreakfastthismorning？’askedthelady。
’Oh！Ihadbreadandmilk，andanegg—Idaresayyoueattheireggs。’
’Yes，that’sit。Ieattheireggs。’
’Isthatwhatmakesyourhairsowhite？’
’No，mydear。It’soldage。Iamveryold。’
’Ithoughtso。Areyoufifty？’
’Yes—morethanthat。’
’Areyouahundred？’
’Yes—morethanthat。Iamtoooldforyoutoguess。Comeandseemychickens。’
Againshestoppedherspinning。Sherose，tooktheprincessbythehand，ledheroutoftheroom，andopenedthedooroppositethestair。Theprincessexpectedtoseealotofhensandchickens，butinsteadofthat，shesawtheblueskyfirst，andthentheroofsofthehouse，withamultitudeoftheloveliestpigeons，mostlywhite，butofallcolours，walkingabout，makingbowstoeachother，andtalkingalanguageshecouldnotunderstand。Sheclappedherhandswithdelight，anduprosesuchaflappingofwingsthatsheinherturnwasstartled。
’You’vefrightenedmypoultry，’saidtheoldlady，smiling。
’Andthey’vefrightenedme，’saidtheprincess，smilingtoo。’Butwhatverynicepoultry！Aretheeggsnice？’
’Yes，verynice。’
’Whatasmallegg—spoonyoumusthave！Wouldn’titbebettertokeephens，andgetbiggereggs？’
’HowshouldIfeedthem，though？’
’Isee，’saidtheprincess。’Thepigeonsfeedthemselves。They’vegotwings。’
’Justso。Iftheycouldn’tfly，Icouldn’teattheireggs。’
’Buthowdoyougetattheeggs？Wherearetheirnests？’
Theladytookholdofalittleloopofstringinthewallatthesideofthedoorand，liftingashutter，showedagreatmanypigeon—holeswithnests，somewithyoungonesandsomewitheggsinthem。Thebirdscameinattheotherside，andshetookouttheeggsonthisside。Shecloseditagainquickly，lesttheyoungonesshouldbefrightened。
’Oh，whataniceway！’criedtheprincess。’Willyougivemeaneggtoeat？I’mratherhungry。’
’Iwillsomeday，butnowyoumustgoback，ornursiewillbemiserableaboutyou。Idaresayshe’slookingforyoueverywhere。’
’Excepthere，’answeredtheprincess。’Oh，howsurprisedshewillbewhenItellheraboutmygreatbiggrand—grand—mother！’
’Yes，thatshewill！’saidtheoldladywithacurioussmile。
’Mindyoutellherallaboutitexactly。’
’ThatIwill。Pleasewillyoutakemebacktoher？’
’Ican’tgoalltheway，butIwilltakeyoutothetopofthestair，andthenyoumustrundownquitefastintoyourownroom。’
Thelittleprincessputherhandintheoldlady’s，who，lookingthiswayandthat，broughthertothetopofthefirststair，andthencetothebottomofthesecond，anddidnotleavehertillshesawherhalf—waydownthethird。Whensheheardthecryofhernurse’spleasureatfindingher，sheturnedandwalkedupthestairsagain，veryfastindeedforsuchaverygreatgrandmother，andsatdowntoherspinningwithanotherstrangesmileonhersweetoldface。
AboutthisspinningofhersIwilltellyoumoreanothertime。
Guesswhatshewasspinning。
CHAPTER4
WhattheNurseThoughtofIt’Why，wherecanyouhavebeen，princess？’askedthenurse，takingherinherarms。’It’sveryunkindofyoutohideawaysolong。
Ibegantobeafraid—’Hereshecheckedherself。
’Whatwereyouafraidof，nursie？’askedtheprincess。
’Nevermind，’sheanswered。’PerhapsIwilltellyouanotherday。
Nowtellmewhereyouhavebeen。’
’I’vebeenupalongwaytoseemyverygreat，huge，oldgrandmother，’saidtheprincess。
’Whatdoyoumeanbythat？’askedthenurse，whothoughtshewasmakingfun。
’ImeanthatI’vebeenalongwayupanduptoseeMyGREAT
grandmother。Ah，nursie，youdon’tknowwhatabeautifulmotherofgrandmothersI’vegotupstairs。Sheissuchanoldlady，withsuchlovelywhitehair—aswhiteasmysilvercup。Now，whenIthinkofit，Ithinkherhairmustbesilver。’
’Whatnonsenseyouaretalking，princess！’saidthenurse。
’I’mnottalkingnonsense，’returnedIrene，ratheroffended。’I
willtellyouallabouther。She’smuchtallerthanyou，andmuchprettier。’
’Oh，Idaresay！’remarkedthenurse。
’Andshelivesuponpigeons’eggs。’
’Mostlikely，’saidthenurse。
’Andshesitsinanemptyroom，spin—spinningalldaylong。’
’Notadoubtofit，’saidthenurse。
’Andshekeepshercrowninherbedroom。’
’Ofcourse—quitetheproperplacetokeephercrownin。Shewearsitinbed，I’llbebound。’
’Shedidn’tsaythat。AndIdon’tthinkshedoes。Thatwouldn’tbecomfortable—wouldit？Idon’tthinkmypapawearshiscrownforanight—cap。Doeshe，nursie？’
’Ineveraskedhim。Idaresayhedoes。’
’Andshe’sbeenthereeversinceIcamehere—eversomanyyears。’
’Anybodycouldhavetoldyouthat，’saidthenurse，whodidnotbelieveawordIrenewassaying。
’Whydidn’tyoutellme，then？’
’Therewasnonecessity。Youcouldmakeitallupforyourself。’
’Youdon’tbelieveme，then！’exclaimedtheprincess，astonishedandangry，asshewellmightbe。
’Didyouexpectmetobelieveyou，princess？’askedthenursecoldly。’Iknowprincessesareinthehabitoftellingmake—believes，butyouarethefirstIeverheardofwhoexpectedtohavethembelieved，’sheadded，seeingthatthechildwasstrangelyinearnest。
Theprincessburstintotears。
’Well，Imustsay，’remarkedthenurse，nowthoroughlyvexedwithherforcrying，’itisnotatallbecominginaprincesstotellstoriesandexpecttobebelievedjustbecausesheisaprincess。’
’Butit’squitetrue，Itellyou。’
’You’vedreamtit，then，child。’
’No，Ididn’tdreamit。Iwentupstairs，andIlostmyself，andifIhadn’tfoundthebeautifullady，Ishouldneverhavefoundmyself。’
’Oh，Idaresay！’
’Well，youjustcomeupwithme，andseeifI’mnottellingthetruth。’
’IndeedIhaveotherworktodo。It’syourdinnertime，andIwon’thaveanymoresuchnonsense。’
Theprincesswipedhereyes，andherfacegrewsohotthattheyweresoonquitedry。Shesatdowntoherdinner，butatenexttonothing。Nottobebelieveddoesnotatallagreewithprincesses：
forarealprincesscannottellalie。Soalltheafternoonshedidnotspeakaword。Onlywhenthenursespoketoher，sheansweredher，forarealprincessisneverrude—evenwhenshedoeswelltobeoffended。
Ofcoursethenursewasnotcomfortableinhermind—notthatshesuspectedtheleasttruthinIrene’sstory，butthatshelovedherdearly，andwasvexedwithherselfforhavingbeencrosstoher。
Shethoughthercrossnesswasthecauseoftheprincess’sunhappiness，andhadnoideathatshewasreallyanddeeplyhurtatnotbeingbelieved。But，asitbecamemoreandmoreplainduringtheeveninginhereverymotionandlook，that，althoughshetriedtoamuseherselfwithhertoys，herheartwastoovexedandtroubledtoenjoythem，hernurse’sdiscomfortgrewandgrew。Whenbedtimecame，sheundressedandlaidherdown，butthechild，insteadofholdingupherlittlemouthtobekissed，turnedawayfromherandlaystill。Thennursie’sheartgavewayaltogether，andshebegantocry。Atthesoundofherfirstsobtheprincessturnedagain，andheldherfacetokissherasusual。Butthenursehadherhandkerchieftohereyes，anddidnotseethemovement。
’Nursie，’saidtheprincess，’whywon’tyoubelieveme？’
’BecauseIcan’tbelieveyou，’saidthenurse，gettingangryagain。
’Ah！then，youcan’thelpit，’saidIrene，’andIwillnotbevexedwithyouanymore。Iwillgiveyouakissandgotosleep。’
’Youlittleangel！’criedthenurse，andcaughtheroutofbed，andwalkedabouttheroomwithherinherarms，kissingandhuggingher。
’Youwillletmetakeyoutoseemydearoldgreatbiggrandmother，won’tyou？’saidtheprincess，asshelaidherdownagain。
’Andyouwon’tsayI’mugly，anymore—willyou，princess？’
’Nursie，Ineversaidyouwereugly。Whatcanyoumean？’
’Well，ifyoudidn’tsayit，youmeantit。’
’Indeed，Ineverdid。’
’YousaidIwasn’tsoprettyasthat—’
’Asmybeautifulgrandmother—yes，Ididsaythat;andIsayitagain，forit’squitetrue。’
’ThenIdothinkyouareunkind！’saidthenurse，andputherhandkerchieftohereyesagain。
’Nursie，dear，everybodycan’tbeasbeautifulaseveryotherbody，youknow。Youareverynice—looking，butifyouhadbeenasbeautifulasmygrandmother—’
’Botheryourgrandmother！’saidthenurse。
’Nurse，that’sveryrude。Youarenotfittobespokentotillyoucanbehavebetter。’
Theprincessturnedawayoncemore，andagainthenursewasashamedofherself。
’I’msureIbegyourpardon，princess，’shesaid，thoughstillinanoffendedtone。Buttheprincessletthetonepass，andheededonlythewords。
’Youwon’tsayitagain，Iamsure，’sheanswered，oncemoreturningtowardshernurse。’Iwasonlygoingtosaythatifyouhadbeentwiceasnice—lookingasyouare，somekingorotherwouldhavemarriedyou，andthenwhatwouldhavebecomeofme？’
’Youareanangel！’repeatedthenurse，againembracingher。
’Now，’insistedIrene，’youwillcomeandseemygrandmother—
won’tyou？’
’Iwillgowithyouanywhereyoulike，mycherub，’sheanswered;
andintwominutesthewearylittleprincesswasfastasleep。
CHAPTER5
ThePrincessLetsWellAloneWhenshewokethenextmorning，thefirstthingsheheardwastherainstillfalling。Indeed，thisdaywassolikethelastthatitwouldhavebeendifficulttotellwherewastheuseofIt。Thefirstthingshethoughtof，however，wasnottherain，buttheladyinthetower;andthefirstquestionthatoccupiedherthoughtswaswhethersheshouldnotaskthenursetofulfilherpromisethisverymorning，andgowithhertofindhergrandmotherassoonasshehadhadherbreakfast。Butshecametotheconclusionthatperhapstheladywouldnotbepleasedifshetookanyonetoseeherwithoutfirstaskingleave;especiallyasitwasprettyevident，seeingshelivedonpigeons’eggs，andcookedthemherself，thatshedidnotwantthehouseholdtoknowshewasthere。Sotheprincessresolvedtotakethefirstopportunityofrunningupaloneandaskingwhethershemightbringhernurse。Shebelievedthefactthatshecouldnototherwiseconvincehershewastellingthetruthwouldhavemuchweightwithhergrandmother。
Theprincessandhernursewerethebestoffriendsalldressing—time，andtheprincessinconsequenceateanenormouslittlebreakfast。
’Iwonder，Lootie’—thatwasherpetnameforhernurse—’whatpigeons’eggstastelike？’shesaid，asshewaseatingheregg—
notquiteacommonone，fortheyalwayspickedoutthepinkyonesforher。
’We’llgetyouapigeon’segg，andyoushalljudgeforyourself，’
saidthenurse。
’Oh，no，no！’returnedIrene，suddenlyreflectingtheymightdisturbtheoldladyingettingit，andthateveniftheydidnot，shewouldhaveonelessinconsequence。
’Whatastrangecreatureyouare，’saidthenurse—’firsttowantathingandthentorefuseit！’
Butshedidnotsayitcrossly，andtheprincessnevermindedanyremarksthatwerenotunfriendly。
’Well，yousee，Lootie，therearereasons，’shereturned，andsaidnomore，forshedidnotwanttobringupthesubjectoftheirformerstrife，lesthernurseshouldoffertogobeforeshehadhadhergrandmother’spermissiontobringher。Ofcourseshecouldrefusetotakeher，butthenshewouldbelieveherlessthanever。
Nowthenurse，asshesaidherselfafterwards，couldnotbeeverymomentintheroom;andasneverbeforeyesterdayhadtheprincessgivenherthesmallestreasonforanxiety，ithadnotyetcomeintoherheadtowatchhermoreclosely。Soshesoongaveherachance，and，theveryfirstthatoffered，Irenewasoffandupthestairsagain。
Thisday’sadventure，however，didnotturnoutlikeyesterday’s，althoughitbeganlikeit;andindeedto—dayisveryseldomlikeyesterday，ifpeoplewouldnotethedifferences—evenwhenitrains。Theprincessranthroughpassageafterpassage，andcouldnotfindthestairofthetower。Myownsuspicionisthatshehadnotgoneuphighenough，andwassearchingonthesecondinsteadofthethirdfloor。Whensheturnedtogoback，shefailedequallyinhersearchafterthestair。Shewaslostoncemore。
Somethingmadeitevenworsetobearthistime，anditwasnowonderthatshecriedagain。Suddenlyitoccurredtoherthatitwasafterhavingcriedbeforethatshehadfoundhergrandmother’sstair。Shegotupatonce，wipedhereyes，andstarteduponafreshquest。
Thistime，althoughshedidnotfindwhatshehoped，shefoundwhatwasnextbest：shedidnotcomeonastairthatwentup，butshecameupononethatwentdown。Itwasevidentlynotthestairshehadcomeup，yetitwasagooddealbetterthannone;sodownshewent，andwassingingmerrilybeforeshereachedthebottom。
There，tohersurprise，shefoundherselfinthekitchen。Althoughshewasnotallowedtogotherealone，hernursehadoftentakenher，andshewasagreatfavouritewiththeservants。Sotherewasageneralrushatherthemomentsheappeared，foreveryonewantedtohaveher;andthereportofwhereshewassoonreachedthenurse’sears。Shecameatoncetofetchher;butsheneversuspectedhowshehadgotthere，andtheprincesskeptherowncounsel。
Herfailuretofindtheoldladynotonlydisappointedher，butmadeherverythoughtful。Sometimesshecamealmosttothenurse’sopinionthatshehaddreamedallabouther;butthatfancyneverlastedverylong。Shewonderedmuchwhethersheshouldeverseeheragain，andthoughtitverysadnottohavebeenabletofindherwhensheparticularlywantedher。Sheresolvedtosaynothingmoretohernurseonthesubject，seeingitwassolittleinherpowertoproveherwords。
CHAPTER6
TheLittleMinerThenextdaythegreatcloudstillhungoverthemountain，andtherainpouredlikewaterfromafullsponge。Theprincesswasveryfondofbeingoutofdoors，andshenearlycriedwhenshesawthattheweatherwasnobetter。Butthemistwasnotofsuchadarkdingygrey;therewaslightinit;andasthehourswentonitgrewbrighterandbrighter，untilitwasalmosttoobrillianttolookat;andlateintheafternoonthesunbrokeoutsogloriouslythatIreneclappedherhands，crying：
’See，see，Lootie！Thesunhashadhisfacewashed。Lookhowbrightheis！Dogetmyhat，andletusgooutforawalk。Oh，dear！oh，dear！howhappyIam！’
Lootiewasverygladtopleasetheprincess。Shegotherhatandcloak，andtheysetouttogetherforawalkupthemountain;fortheroadwassohardandsteepthatthewatercouldnotrestuponit，anditwasalwaysdryenoughforwalkingafewminutesaftertherainceased。Thecloudswererollingawayinbrokenpieces，likegreat，overwoollysheep，whosewoolthesunhadbleachedtillitwasalmosttoowhitefortheeyestobear。Betweenthemtheskyshonewithadeeperandpurerblue，becauseoftherain。Thetreesontheroadsidewerehungalloverwithdrops，whichsparkledinthesunlikejewels。Theonlythingsthatwerenobrighterfortherainwerethebrooksthatrandownthemountain;theyhadchangedfromtheclearnessofcrystaltoamuddybrown;butwhattheylostincolourtheygainedinsound—oratleastinnoise，forabrookwhenitisswollenisnotsomusicalasbefore。ButIrenewasinraptureswiththegreatbrownstreamstumblingdowneverywhere;andLootiesharedinherdelight，forshetoohadbeenconfinedtothehouseforthreedays。
Atlengthsheobservedthatthesunwasgettinglow，andsaiditwastimetobegoingback。Shemadetheremarkagainandagain，but，everytime，theprincessbeggedhertogoonjustalittlefartherandalittlefarther;remindingherthatitwasmucheasiertogodownhill，andsayingthatwhentheydidturntheywouldbeathomeinamoment。Soonandontheydidgo，nowtolookatagroupoffernsoverwhosetopsastreamwaspouringinawateryarch，nowtopickashiningstonefromarockbythewayside，nowtowatchtheflightofsomebird。Suddenlytheshadowofagreatmountainpeakcameupfrombehind，andshotinfrontofthem。Whenthenursesawit，shestartedandshook，andcatchingholdoftheprincess’shandturnedandbegantorundownthehill。
’What’sallthehaste，nursie？’askedIrene，runningalongsideofher。
’Wemustnotbeoutamomentlonger。’
’Butwecan’thelpbeingoutagoodmanymomentslonger。’
Itwastootrue。Thenursealmostcried。Theyweremuchtoofarfromhome。Itwasagainstexpressorderstobeoutwiththeprincessonemomentafterthesunwasdown;andtheywerenearlyamileupthemountain！IfHisMajesty，Irene’spapa，weretohearofit，Lootiewouldcertainlybedismissed;andtoleavetheprincesswouldbreakherheart。Itwasnowondersheran。ButIrenewasnotintheleastfrightened，notknowinganythingtobefrightenedat。Shekeptonchatteringaswellasshecould，butitwasnoteasy。
’Lootie！Lootie！whydoyourunsofast？ItshakesmyteethwhenItalk。’
’Thendon’ttalk，’saidLootie。
’Buttheprincesswentontalking。Shewasalwayssaying：’Look，look，Lootie！’butLootiepaidnomoreheedtoanythingshesaid，onlyranon。
’Look，look，Lootie！Don’tyouseethatfunnymanpeepingovertherock？’
Lootieonlyranthefaster。Theyhadtopasstherock，andwhentheycamenearer，theprincesssawitwasonlyalumpoftherockitselfthatshehadtakenforaman。
’Look，look，Lootie！There’ssuchacuriouscreatureatthefootofthatoldtree。Lookatit，Lootie！It’smakingfacesatus，I
dothink。’
Lootiegaveastifledcry，andranfasterstill—sofastthatIrene’slittlelegscouldnotkeepupwithher，andshefellwithacrash。Itwasaharddownhillroad，andshehadbeenrunningveryfast—soitwasnowondershebegantocry。Thisputthenursenearlybesideherself;butallshecoulddowastorunon，themomentshegottheprincessonherfeetagain。
’Who’sthatlaughingatme？’saidtheprincess，tryingtokeepinhersobs，andrunningtoofastforhergrazedknees。
’Nobody，child，’saidthenurse，almostangrily。
Butthatinstanttherecameaburstofcoarsetitteringfromsomewherenear，andahoarseindistinctvoicethatseemedtosay：
’Lies！lies！lies！’
’Oh！’criedthenursewithasighthatwasalmostascream，andranonfasterthanever。
’Nursie！Lootie！Ican’trunanymore。Doletuswalkabit。’
’WhatamItodo？’saidthenurse。’Here，Iwillcarryyou。’
Shecaughtherup;butfoundhermuchtooheavytorunwith，andhadtosetherdownagain。Thenshelookedwildlyabouther，gaveagreatcry，andsaid：
’We’vetakenthewrongturningsomewhere，andIdon’tknowwhereweare。Wearelost，lost！’
Theterrorshewasinhadquitebewilderedher。Itwastrueenoughtheyhadlosttheway。Theyhadbeenrunningdownintoalittlevalleyinwhichtherewasnohousetobeseen。
NowIrenedidnotknowwhatgoodreasontherewasforhernurse’sterror，fortheservantshadallstrictordersnevertomentionthegoblinstoher，butitwasverydiscomposingtoseehernurseinsuchafright。Before，however，shehadtimetogrowthoroughlyalarmedlikeher，sheheardthesoundofwhistling，andthatrevivedher。Presentlyshesawaboycominguptheroadfromthevalleytomeetthem。Hewasthewhistler;butbeforetheymethiswhistlingchangedtosinging。Andthisissomethinglikewhathesang：
’Ring！dod！bang！
Gothehammers’clang！
Hitandturnandbore！
Whizzandpuffandroar！
Thuswerivetherocks，Forcethegoblinlocks。—
Seetheshiningore！
One，two，three—
Brightasgoldcanbe！
Four，five，six—
Shovels，mattocks，picks！
Seven，eight，nine—
Lightyourlampatmine。
Ten，eleven，twelve—
Looselyholdthehelve。
We’rethemerryminer—boys，Makethegoblinsholdtheirnoise。’
’IwishYOUwouldholdyournoise，’saidthenurserudely，fortheverywordGOBLINatsuchatimeandinsuchaplacemadehertremble。Itwouldbringthegoblinsuponthemtoacertainty，shethought，todefytheminthatway。Butwhethertheboyheardherornot，hedidnotstophissinging。
’Thirteen，fourteen，fifteen—
Thisisworththesiftin’;
Sixteen，seventeen，eighteen—
There’sthematch，andlay’tin。
Nineteen，twenty—
Goblinsinaplenty。’
’Dobequiet，’criedthenurse，inawhisperedshriek。Buttheboy，whowasnowcloseathand，stillwenton。
’Hush！scush！scurry！
Thereyougoinahurry！
Gobble！gobble！goblin！
Thereyougoawobblin’;
Hobble，hobble，hobblin’—
Cobble！cobble！cobblin’！
Hob—bob—goblin！—
Huuuuuh！’
’There！’saidtheboy，ashestoodstilloppositethem。’There！
that’lldoforthem。Theycan’tbearsinging，andtheycan’tstandthatsong。Theycan’tsingthemselves，fortheyhavenomorevoicethanacrow;andtheydon’tlikeotherpeopletosing。’
Theboywasdressedinaminer’sdress，withacuriouscaponhishead。Hewasaverynice—lookingboy，witheyesasdarkastheminesinwhichheworkedandassparklingasthecrystalsintheirrocks。Hewasabouttwelveyearsold。Hisfacewasalmosttoopaleforbeauty，whichcameofhisbeingsolittleintheopenairandthesunlight—forevenvegetablesgrowninthedarkarewhite;
buthelookedhappy，merryindeed—perhapsatthethoughtofhavingroutedthegoblins;andhisbearingashestoodbeforethemhadnothingclownishorrudeaboutit。
’Isawthem，’hewenton，’asIcameup;andI’mverygladIdid。
Iknewtheywereaftersomebody，butIcouldn’tseewhoitwas。
Theywon’ttouchyousolongasI’mwithyou。’
’Why，whoareyou？’askedthenurse，offendedatthefreedomwithwhichhespoketothem。
’I’mPeter’sson。’
’Who’sPeter？’
’Petertheminer。’
’Idon’tknowhim。’
’I’mhisson，though。’
’Andwhyshouldthegoblinsmindyou，pray？’
’BecauseIdon’tmindthem。I’musedtothem。’
’Whatdifferencedoesthatmake？’
’Ifyou’renotafraidofthem，they’reafraidofyou。I’mnotafraidofthem。That’sall。Butit’sallthat’swanted—uphere，thatis。It’sadifferentthingdownthere。Theywon’talwaysmindthatsongeven，downthere。Andifanyonesingsit，theystandgrinningathimawfully;andifhegetsfrightened，andmissesaword，orsaysawrongone，they—oh！don’ttheygiveithim！’
’Whatdotheydotohim？’askedIrene，withatremblingvoice。
’Don’tgofrighteningtheprincess，’saidthenurse。
’Theprincess！’repeatedthelittleminer，takingoffhiscuriouscap。’Ibegyourpardon;butyououghtn’ttobeoutsolate。
Everybodyknowsthat’sagainstthelaw。’
’Yes，indeeditis！’saidthenurse，beginningtocryagain。’AndIshallhavetosufferforit。’
’Whatdoesthatmatter？’saidtheboy。’Itmustbeyourfault。Itistheprincesswhowillsufferforit。Ihopetheydidn’thearyoucallhertheprincess。Iftheydid，they’resuretoknowheragain：they’reawfullysharp。’
’Lootie！Lootie！’criedtheprincess。’Takemehome。’
’Don’tgoonlikethat，’saidthenursetotheboy，almostfiercely。’HowcouldIhelpit？Ilostmyway。’
’Youshouldn’thavebeenoutsolate。Youwouldn’thavelostyourwayifyouhadn’tbeenfrightened，’saidtheboy。’Comealong。
I’llsoonsetyourightagain。ShallIcarryyourlittleHighness？’
’Impertinence！’murmuredthenurse，butshedidnotsayitaloud，forshethoughtifshemadehimangryhemighttakehisrevengebytellingsomeonebelongingtothehouse，andthenitwouldbesuretocometotheking’sears。’No，thankyou，’saidIrene。’Icanwalkverywell，thoughIcan’trunsofastasnursie。Ifyouwillgivemeonehand，Lootiewillgivemeanother，andthenIshallgetonfamously。’
Theysoonhadherbetweenthem，holdingahandofeach。
’Nowlet’srun，’saidthenurse。
’No，no！’saidthelittleminer。’That’stheworstthingyoucando。Ifyouhadn’trunbefore，youwouldnothavelostyourway。
Andifyourunnow，theywillbeafteryouinamoment。’
’Idon’twanttorun，’saidIrene。
’Youdon’tthinkofme，’saidthenurse。
’Yes，Ido，Lootie。Theboysaystheywon’ttouchusifwedon’trun。’
’Yes，butiftheyknowatthehousethatI’vekeptyououtsolateIshallbeturnedaway，andthatwouldbreakmyheart。’
’Turnedaway，Lootie！Whowouldturnyouaway？’
’Yourpapa，child。’
’ButI’lltellhimitwasallmyfault。Andyouknowitwas，Lootie。’
’Hewon’tmindthat。I’msurehewon’t。’
’ThenI’llcry，andgodownonmykneestohim，andbeghimnottotakeawaymyowndearLootie。’
Thenursewascomfortedathearingthis，andsaidnomore。Theywenton，walkingprettyfast，buttakingcarenottorunastep。
’Iwanttotalktoyou，’saidIrenetothelittleminer;’butit’ssoawkward！Idon’tknowyourname。’
’Myname’sCurdie，littleprincess。’
’Whatafunnyname！Curdie！Whatmore？’
’CurdiePeterson。What’syourname，please？’
’Irene。’
’Whatmore？’
’Idon’tknowwhatmore。Whatmoreismyname，Lootie？’
’Princesseshaven’tgotmorethanonename。Theydon’twantit。’
’Oh，then，Curdie，youmustcallmejustIreneandnomore。’
’No，indeed，’saidthenurseindignantly。’Heshalldonosuchthing。’
’Whatshallhecallme，then，Lootie？’
’YourRoyalHighness。’
’MyRoyalHighness！What’sthat？No，no，Lootie。Iwon’tbecallednames。Idon’tlikethem。Youtoldmeonceyourselfit’sonlyrudechildrenthatcallnames;andI’msureCurdiewouldn’tberude。Curdie，myname’sIrene。’
’Well，Irene，’saidCurdie，withaglanceatthenursewhichshowedheenjoyedteasingher;’itisverykindofyoutoletmecallyouanything。Ilikeyournameverymuch。’
Heexpectedthenursetointerfereagain;buthesoonsawthatshewastoofrightenedtospeak。Shewasstaringatsomethingafewyardsbeforetheminthemiddleofthepath，whereitnarrowedbetweenrockssothatonlyonecouldpassatatime。
’Itisverymuchkinderofyoutogooutofyourwaytotakeushome，’saidIrene。
’I’mnotgoingoutofmywayyet，’saidCurdie。’It’sontheothersideofthoserocksthepathturnsofftomyfather’s。’
’Youwouldn’tthinkofleavingustillwe’resafehome，I’msure，’
gaspedthenurse。
’Ofcoursenot，’saidCurdie。
’Youdear，good，kindCurdie！I’llgiveyouakisswhenwegethome，’saidtheprincess。
Thenursegaveheragreatpullbythehandsheheld。Butatthatinstantthesomethinginthemiddleoftheway，whichhadlookedlikeagreatlumpofearthbroughtdownbytherain，begantomove。