Thecouncillor，encouragedbythismarkoffavour，wenton。
’Itseemstome，YourRoyalHighness，itwouldgreatlyendearyoutoyourfuturepeople，provingtothemthatyouarenotthelessoneofthemselvesthatyouhadthemisfortunetobebornofasun—mother，ifyouweretocommanduponyourselfthecomparativelyslightoperationwhich，inamoreextendedform，yousowiselymeditatewithregardtoyourfutureprincess。’
’Ha！ha！ha！’laughedthequeenlouderthanbefore，andthekingandtheministerjoinedinthelaugh。Harelipgrowled，andforafewmomentstheotherscontinuedtoexpresstheirenjoymentofhisdiscomfiture。
ThequeenwastheonlyoneCurdiecouldseewithanydistinctness。
Shesatsidewaystohim，andthelightofthefireshonefulluponherface。Hecouldnotconsiderherhandsome。Hernosewascertainlybroaderattheendthanitsextremelength，andhereyes，insteadofbeinghorizontal，weresetupliketwoperpendiculareggs，oneonthebroad，theotheronthesmallend。Hermouthwasnobiggerthanasmallbuttonholeuntilshelaughed，whenitstretchedfromeartoear—only，tobesure，herearswereverynearlyinthemiddleofhercheeks。
Anxioustoheareverythingtheymightsay，Curdieventuredtoslidedownasmoothpartoftherockjustunderhim，toaprojectionbelow，uponwhichhethoughttorest。Butwhetherhewasnotcarefulenough，ortheprojectiongaveway，downhecamewitharushonthefloorofthecavern，bringingwithhimagreatrumblingshowerofstones。
Thegoblinsjumpedfromtheirseatsinmoreangerthanconsternation，fortheyhadneveryetseenanythingtobeafraidofinthepalace。ButwhentheysawCurdiewithhispickinhishandtheirragewasmingledwithfear，fortheytookhimforthefirstofaninvasionofminers。Thekingnotwithstandingdrewhimselfuptohisfullheightoffourfeet，spreadhimselftohisfullbreadthofthreeandahalf，forhewasthehandsomestandsquarestofallthegoblins，andstruttinguptoCurdie，plantedhimselfwithoutspreadfeetbeforehim，andsaidwithdignity：
’Praywhatrighthaveyouinmypalace？’
’Therightofnecessity，YourMajesty，’answeredCurdie。’IlostmywayanddidnotknowwhereIwaswanderingto。’
’Howdidyougetin？’
’Byaholeinthemountain。’
’Butyouareaminer！Lookatyourpickaxe！’
Curdiedidlookatit，answering：
’Icameuponitlyingonthegroundalittlewayfromhere。I
tumbledoversomewildbeastswhowereplayingwithit。Look，YourMajesty。’AndCurdieshowedhimhowhewasscratchedandbitten。
Thekingwaspleasedtofindhimbehavemorepolitelythanhehadexpectedfromwhathispeoplehadtoldhimconcerningtheminers，forheattributedittothepowerofhisownpresence;buthedidnotthereforefeelfriendlytotheintruder。
’Youwillobligemebywalkingoutofmydominionsatonce，’hesaid，wellknowingwhatamockerylayinthewords。
’Withpleasure，ifYourMajestywillgivemeaguide，’saidCurdie。
’Iwillgiveyouathousand，’saidthekingwithascoffingairofmagnificentliberality。
’Onewillbequitesufficient，’saidCurdie。
Butthekingutteredastrangeshout，halfhalloo，halfroar，andinrushedgoblinstillthecavewasswarming。HesaidsomethingtothefirstofthemwhichCurdiecouldnothear，anditwaspassedfromonetoanothertillinamomentthefarthestinthecrowdhadevidentlyheardandunderstoodit。Theybegantogatherabouthiminawayhedidnotrelish，andheretreatedtowardsthewall。
Theypresseduponhim。
’Standback，’saidCurdie，graspinghispickaxetighterbyhisknee。
Theyonlygrinnedandpressedcloser。Curdiebethoughthimselfandbegantorhyme。
’Ten，twenty，thirty—
You’reallsoverydirty！
Twenty，thirty，forty—
You’reallsothickandsnorty！
’Thirty，forty，fifty—
You’reallsopuff—and—snifty！
Forty，fifty，sixty—
Beastandmansomixty！
’Fifty，sixty，seventy—
Mixty，maxty，leaventy！
Sixty，seventy，eighty—
Allyourcheekssoslaty！
’Seventy，eighty，ninety，Allyourhandssoflinty！
Eighty，ninety，hundred，Altogetherdundred！’
Thegoblinsfellbackalittlewhenhebegan，andmadehorriblegrimacesallthroughtherhyme，asifeatingsomethingsodisagreeablethatitsettheirteethonedgeandgavethemthecreeps;butwhetheritwasthattherhymingwordsweremostofthemnowordsatall，for，anewrhymebeingconsideredthemoreefficacious，Curdiehadmadeitonthespurofthemoment，orwhetheritwasthatthepresenceofthekingandqueengavethemcourage，Icannottell;butthemomenttherhymewasovertheycrowdedonhimagain，andoutshotahundredlongarms，withamultitudeofthicknaillessfingersattheendsofthem，tolayholduponhim。ThenCurdieheaveduphisaxe。Butbeingasgentleascourageousandnotwishingtokillanyofthem，heturnedtheendwhichwassquareandbluntlikeahammer，andwiththatcamedownagreatblowontheheadofthegoblinnearesthim。Hardastheheadsofallgoblinsare，hethoughthemustfeelthat。Andsohedid，nodoubt;butheonlygaveahorriblecry，andsprungatCurdie’sthroat。Curdie，however，drewbackintime，andjustatthatcriticalmomentrememberedthevulnerablepartofthegoblinbody。HemadeasuddenrushatthekingandstampedwithallhismightonHisMajesty’sfeet。Thekinggaveamostunkinglyhowlandalmostfellintothefire。Curdiethenrushedintothecrowd，stampingrightandleft。Thegoblinsdrewback，howlingoneverysideasheapproached，buttheyweresocrowdedthatfewofthoseheattackedcouldescapehistread;andtheshriekingandroaringthatfilledthecavewouldhaveappalledCurdiebutforthegoodhopeitgavehim。Theyweretumblingovereachotherinheapsintheireagernesstorushfromthecave，whenanewassailantsuddenlyfacedhim—thequeen，withflamingeyesandexpandednostrils，herhairstandinghalfupfromherhead，rushedathim。
Shetrustedinhershoes：theywereofgranite—hollowedlikeFrenchsabots。Curdiewouldhaveenduredmuchratherthanhurtawoman，evenifshewasagoblin;butherewasanaffairoflifeanddeath：forgettinghershoes，hemadeagreatstampononeofherfeet。Butsheinstantlyreturneditwithverydifferenteffect，causinghimfrightfulpain，andalmostdisablinghim。Hisonlychancewithherwouldhavebeentoattackthegraniteshoeswithhispickaxe，butbeforehecouldthinkofthatshehadcaughthimupinherarmsandwasrushingwithhimacrossthecave。Shedashedhimintoaholeinthewall，withaforcethatalmoststunnedhim。Butalthoughhecouldnotmove，hewasnottoofargonetohearhergreatcry，andtherushofmultitudesofsoftfeet，followedbythesoundsofsomethingheavedupagainsttherock;afterwhichcameamultitudinouspatterofstonesfallingnearhim。Thelasthadnotceasedwhenhegrewveryfaint，forhisheadhadbeenbadlycut，andatlastinsensible。
Whenhecametohimselftherewasperfectsilenceabouthim，andutterdarkness，butforthemerestglimmerinonetinyspot。Hecrawledtoit，andfoundthattheyhadheavedaslabagainstthemouthofthehole，pasttheedgeofwhichapoorlittlegleamfounditswayfromthefire。Hecouldnotmoveitahairbreadth，fortheyhadpiledagreatheapofstonesagainstit。Hecrawledbacktowherehehadbeenlying，inthefainthopeoffindinghispickaxe，Butafteravainsearchhewasatlastcompelledtoacknowledgehimselfinanevilplight。Hesatdownandtriedtothink，butsoonfellfastasleep。
CHAPTER19
GoblinCounselsHemusthavesleptalongtime，forwhenheawokehefeltwonderfullyrestored—indeedalmostwell—andveryhungry。Therewerevoicesintheoutercave。
Oncemore，then，itwasnight;forthegoblinssleptduringthedayandwentabouttheiraffairsduringthenight。
Intheuniversalandconstantdarknessoftheirdwellingtheyhadnoreasontoprefertheonearrangementtotheother;butfromaversiontothesun—peopletheychosetobebusywhentherewasleastchanceoftheirbeingmeteitherbytheminersbelow，whentheywereburrowing，orbythepeopleofthemountainabove，whentheywerefeedingtheirsheeporcatchingtheirgoats。Andindeeditwasonlywhenthesunwasawaythattheoutsideofthemountainwassufficientlyliketheirowndismalregionstobeendurabletotheirmoleeyes，sothoroughlyhadtheybecomeunaccustomedtoanylightbeyondthatoftheirownfiresandtorches。
Curdielistened，andsoonfoundthattheyweretalkingofhimself。
’Howlongwillittake？’askedHarelip。
’Notmanydays，Ishouldthink，’answeredtheking。’Theyarepoorfeeblecreatures，thosesun—people，andwanttobealwayseating。
Wecangoaweekatatimewithoutfood，andbeallthebetterforit;butI’vebeentoldtheyeattwoorthreetimeseveryday！Canyoubelieveit？Theymustbequitehollowinside—notatalllikeus，nine—tenthsofwhosebulkissolidfleshandbone。Yes—I
judgeaweekofstarvationwilldoforhim。’
’IfImaybeallowedaword，’interposedthequeen，—’andIthinkIoughttohavesomevoiceinthematter—’
’Thewretchisentirelyatyourdisposal，myspouse，’interruptedtheking。’Heisyourproperty。Youcaughthimyourself。Weshouldneverhavedoneit。’
Thequeenlaughed。Sheseemedinfarbetterhumourthanthenightbefore。
’Iwasabouttosay，’sheresumed，’thatitdoesseemapitytowastesomuchfreshmeat。’
’Whatareyouthinkingof，mylove？’saidtheking。’Theverynotionofstarvinghimimpliesthatwearenotgoingtogivehimanymeat，eithersaltorfresh。’
’I’mnotsuchastupidasthatcomesto，’returnedHerMajesty。
’WhatImeanisthatbythetimeheisstarvedtherewillhardlybeapickinguponhisbones。’
Thekinggaveagreatlaugh。
’Well，myspouse，youmayhavehimwhenyoulike，’hesaid。’I
don’tfancyhimformypart。Iamprettysureheistougheating。’
’Thatwouldbetohonourinsteadofpunishhisinsolence，’returnedthequeen。’Butwhyshouldourpoorcreaturesbedeprivedofsomuchnourishment？Ourlittledogsandcatsandpigsandsmallbearswouldenjoyhimverymuch。’
’Youarethebestofhousekeepers，mylovelyqueen！’saidherhusband。’Letitbesobyallmeans。Letushaveourpeoplein，andgethimoutandkillhimatonce。Hedeservesit。Themischiefhemighthavebroughtuponus，nowthathehadpenetratedsofarasourmostretiredcitadel，isincalculable。Orratherletustiehimhandandfoot，andhavethepleasureofseeinghimtorntopiecesbyfulltorchlightinthegreathall。’
’Betterandbetter！’criedthequeenandtheprincetogether，bothofthemclappingtheirhands。Andtheprincemadeanuglynoisewithhishare—lip，justasifhehadintendedtobeoneatthefeast。
’But，’addedthequeen，bethinkingherself，’heissotroublesome。
Forpoorcreaturesastheyare，thereissomethingaboutthosesun—peoplethatisverytroublesome。Icannotimaginehowitisthatwithsuchsuperiorstrengthandskillandunderstandingasours，wepermitthemtoexistatall。Whydowenotdestroythementirely，andusetheircattleandgrazinglandsatourpleasure？
Ofcoursewedon’twanttoliveintheirhorridcountry！Itisfartooglaringforourquieterandmorerefinedtastes。Butwemightuseitasasortofouthouse，youknow。Evenourcreatures’eyesmightgetusedtoit，andiftheydidgrowblindthatwouldbeofnoconsequence，providedtheygrewfataswell。Butwemightevenkeeptheirgreatcowsandothercreatures，andthenweshouldhaveafewmoreluxuries，suchascreamandcheese，whichatpresentweonlytasteoccasionally，whenourbravemenhavesucceededincarryingsomeofffromtheirfarms。’
’Itisworththinkingof，’saidtheking;’andIdon’tknowwhyyoushouldbethefirsttosuggestit，exceptthatyouhaveapositivegeniusforconquest。Butstill，asyousay，thereissomethingverytroublesomeaboutthem;anditwouldbebetter，asI
understandyoutosuggest，thatweshouldstarvehimforadayortwofirst，sothathemaybealittlelessfriskywhenwetakehimout。’
’OncetherewasagoblinLivinginahole;
Busyhewascobblin’
Ashoewithoutasole。
’Bycameabirdie：
\"Goblin，whatdoyoudo？\"
\"CobbleatasturdieUpperleathershoe。\"
’\"What’sthegoodo’that，Sir？\"
Saidthelittlebird。
\"Whyit’sveryPat，Sir—
Plainwithoutaword。
’\"Where’tisallahole，Sir，Nevercanbeholes：
Whyshouldtheirshoeshavesoles，Sir，Whenthey’vegotnosouls？\"’
’What’sthathorriblenoise？’criedthequeen，shudderingfrompot—metalheadtograniteshoes。
’Ideclare，’saidthekingwithsolemnindignation，’it’sthesun—creatureinthehole！’
’Stopthatdisgustingnoise！’criedthecrownprincevaliantly，gettingupandstandinginfrontoftheheapofstones，withhisfacetowardsCurdie’sprison。’Donow，orI’llbreakyourhead。’
’Breakaway，’shoutedCurdie，andbegansingingagain：
’Oncetherewasagoblin，Livinginahole—’
’Ireallycannotbearit，’saidthequeen。’IfIcouldonlygetathishorridtoeswithmyslippersagain！’
’Ithinkwehadbettergotobed，’saidtheking。
’It’snottimetogotobed，’saidthequeen。
’IwouldifIwasyou，’saidCurdie。
’Impertinentwretch！’saidthequeen，withtheutmostscorninhervoice。
’Animpossibleif，’saidHisMajestywithdignity。
’Quite，’returnedCurdie，andbegansingingagain：
’Gotobed，Goblin，do。
HelpthequeenTakeoffhershoe。
’Ifyoudo，ItwilldiscloseAhorridsetOfsproutingtoes。’
’Whatalie！’roaredthequeeninarage。
’Bytheway，thatremindsme，’saidtheking，’thatforaslongaswehavebeenmarried，Ihaveneverseenyourfeet，queen。Ithinkyoumighttakeoffyourshoeswhenyougotobed！Theypositivelyhurtmesometimes。’
’IwilldoasIlike，’retortedthequeensulkily。
’Yououghttodoasyourownhubbywishesyou，’saidtheking。
’Iwillnot，’saidthequeen。
’ThenIinsistuponit，’saidtheking。
ApparentlyHisMajestyapproachedthequeenforthepurposeoffollowingtheadvicegivenbyCurdie，forthelatterheardascuffle，andthenagreatroarfromtheking。
’Willyoubequiet，then？’saidthequeenwickedly。
’Yes，yes，queen。Ionlymeanttocoaxyou。’
’Handsoff！’criedthequeentriumphantly。’I’mgoingtobed。Youmaycomewhenyoulike。ButaslongasIamqueenIwillsleepinmyshoes。Itismyroyalprivilege。Harelip，gotobed。’
’I’mgoing，’saidHarelipsleepily。
’SoamI，’saidtheking。
’Comealong，then，’saidthequeen;’andmindyouaregood，orI’ll—’
’Oh，no，no，no！’screamedthekinginthemostsupplicatingoftones。
Curdieheardonlyamutteredreplyinthedistance;andthenthecavewasquitestill。
Theyhadleftthefireburning，andthelightcamethroughbrighterthanbefore。Curdiethoughtitwastimetotryagainifanythingcouldbedone。Buthefoundhecouldnotgetevenafingerthroughthechinkbetweentheslabandtherock。Hegaveagreatrushwithhisshoulderagainsttheslab，butityieldednomorethanifithadbeenpartoftherock。Allhecoulddowastositdownandthinkagain。
Byandbyhecametotheresolutiontopretendtobedying，inthehopetheymighttakehimoutbeforehisstrengthwastoomuchexhaustedtolethimhaveachance。Then，forthecreatures，ifhecouldbutfindhisaxeagain，hewouldhavenofearofthem;andifitwerenotforthequeen’shorridshoes，hewouldhavenofearatall。
Meantime，untiltheyshouldcomeagainatnight，therewasnothingforhimtodobutforgenewrhymes，nowhisonlyweapons。Hehadnointentionofusingthematpresent，ofcourse;butitwaswelltohaveastock，forhemightlivetowantthem，andthemanufactureofthemwouldhelptowhileawaythetime。
CHAPTER20
Irene’sClueThatsamemorningearly，theprincesswokeinaterriblefright。
Therewasahideousnoiseinherroom—creaturessnarlingandhissingandrocketingaboutasiftheywerefighting。Themomentshecametoherself，sherememberedsomethingshehadneverthoughtofagain—whathergrandmothertoldhertodowhenshewasfrightened。Sheimmediatelytookoffherringandputitunderherpillow。Asshedidsoshefanciedshefeltafingerandthumbtakeitgentlyfromunderherpalm。’Itmustbemygrandmother！’shesaidtoherself，andthethoughtgavehersuchcouragethatshestoppedtoputonherdaintylittleslippersbeforerunningfromtheroom。Whiledoingthisshecaughtsightofalongcloakofsky—blue，thrownoverthebackofachairbythebedside。Shehadneverseenitbeforebutitwasevidentlywaitingforher。Sheputiton，andthen，feelingwiththeforefingerofherrighthand，soonfoundhergrandmother’sthread，whichsheproceededatoncetofollow，expectingitwouldleadherstraightuptheoldstair。
Whenshereachedthedoorshefounditwentdownandranalongthefloor，sothatshehadalmosttocrawlinordertokeepaholdofit。Then，tohersurprise，andsomewhattoherdismay，shefoundthatinsteadofleadinghertowardsthestairitturnedinquitetheoppositedirection。Itledherthroughcertainnarrowpassagestowardsthekitchen，turningasideereshereachedit，andguidinghertoadoorwhichcommunicatedwithasmallbackyard。Someofthemaidswerealreadyup，andthisdoorwasstandingopen。Acrosstheyardthethreadstillranalongtheground，untilitbroughthertoadoorinthewallwhichopenedupontheMountainside。Whenshehadpassedthrough，thethreadrosetoabouthalfherheight，andshecouldholditwitheaseasshewalked。Itledherstraightupthemountain。
Thecauseofheralarmwaslessfrightfulthanshesupposed。Thecook’sgreatblackcat，pursuedbythehousekeeper’sterrier，hadbouncedagainstherbedroomdoor，whichhadnotbeenproperlyfastened，andthetwohadburstintotheroomtogetherandcommencedabattleroyal。Howthenursecametosleepthroughitwasamystery，butIsuspecttheoldladyhadsomethingtodowithit。
Itwasaclearwarmmorning。ThewindblewdeliciouslyovertheMountainside。Hereandthereshesawalateprimrosebutshedidnotstoptocalluponthem。Theskywasmottledwithsmallclouds。
Thesunwasnotyetup，butsomeoftheirfluffyedgeshadcaughthislight，andhungoutorangeandgold—colouredfringesupontheair。Thedewlayinrounddropsupontheleaves，andhungliketinydiamondear—ringsfromthebladesofgrassaboutherpath。
’Howlovelythatbitofgossameris！’thoughttheprincess，lookingatalongundulatinglinethatshoneatsomedistancefromherupthehill。Itwasnotthetimeforgossamersthough;andIrenesoondiscoveredthatitwasherownthreadshesawshiningonbeforeherinthelightofthemorning。Itwasleadinghersheknewnotwhither;butshehadneverinherlifebeenoutbeforesunrise，andeverythingwassofreshandcoolandlivelyandfullofsomethingcoming，thatshefelttoohappytobeafraidofanything。
Afterleadingherupagooddistance，thethreadturnedtotheleft，anddownthepathuponwhichsheandLootiehadmetCurdie。
Butsheneverthoughtofthat，fornowinthemorninglight，withitsfaroutlookoverthecountry，nopathcouldhavebeenmoreopenandairyandcheerful。Shecouldseetheroadalmosttothehorizon，alongwhichshehadsooftenwatchedherking—papaandhistroopcomeshining，withthebugle—blastcleavingtheairbeforethem;anditwaslikeacompaniontoher。Downanddownthepathwent，thenup，andthendownandthenupagain，gettingruggedandmoreruggedasitwent;andstillalongthepathwentthesilverythread，andstillalongthethreadwentIrene’slittlerosy—tippedforefinger。Byandbyshecametoalittlestreamthatjabberedandprattleddownthehill，andupthesideofthestreamwentbothpathandthread。Andstillthepathgrewrougherandsteeper，andthemountaingrewwilder，tillIrenebegantothinkshewasgoingaverylongwayfromhome;andwhensheturnedtolookbackshesawthatthelevelcountryhadvanishedandtheroughbaremountainhadclosedinabouther。Butstillonwentthethread，andonwenttheprincess。Everythingaroundherwasgettingbrighterandbrighterasthesuncamenearer;tillatlengthhisfirstraysallatoncealightedonthetopofarockbeforeher，likesomegoldencreaturefreshfromthesky。Thenshesawthatthelittlestreamranoutofaholeinthatrock，thatthepathdidnotgopasttherock，andthatthethreadwasleadingherstraightuptoit。Ashudderranthroughherfromheadtofootwhenshefoundthatthethreadwasactuallytakingherintotheholeoutofwhichthestreamran。Itranoutbabblingjoyously，butshehadtogoin。
Shedidnothesitate。Rightintotheholeshewent，whichwashighenoughtoletherwalkwithoutstooping。Foralittlewaytherewasabrownglimmer，butatthefirstturnitallbutceased，andbeforeshehadgonemanypacesshewasintotaldarkness。Thenshebegantobefrightenedindeed。Everymomentshekeptfeelingthethreadbackwardsandforwards，andasshewentfartherandfartherintothedarknessofthegreathollowmountain，shekeptthinkingmoreandmoreabouthergrandmother，andallthatshehadsaidtoher，andhowkindshehadbeen，andhowbeautifulshewas，andallaboutherlovelyroom，andthefireofroses，andthegreatlampthatsentitslightthroughstonewalls。Andshebecamemoreandmoresurethatthethreadcouldnothavegonethereofitself，andthathergrandmothermusthavesentit。Butittriedherdreadfullywhenthepathwentdownverysteep，andespeciallyWhenshecametoplaceswhereshehadtogodownroughstairs，andevensometimesaladder。Throughonenarrowpassageafteranother，overlumpsofrockandsandandclay，thethreadguidedher，untilshecametoasmallholethroughwhichshehadtocreep。Findingnochangeontheotherside，’ShallIevergetback？’shethought，overandoveragain，wonderingatherselfthatshewasnottentimesmorefrightened，andoftenfeelingasifshewereonlywalkinginthestoryofadream。Sometimessheheardthenoiseofwater，adullgurglinginsidetherock。Byandbysheheardthesoundsofblows，whichcamenearerandnearer;butagaintheygrewduller，andalmostdiedaway。Inahundreddirectionssheturned，obedienttotheguidingthread。
Atlastshespiedadullredshine，andcameuptothemicawindow，andthenceawayandroundabout，andright，intoacavern，whereglowedtheredembersofafire。Herethethreadbegantorise。
Itroseashighasherheadandhigherstill。Whatshouldshedoifshelostherhold？Shewaspullingitdown：Shemightbreakit！
Shecouldseeitfarup，glowingasredasherfire—opalinthelightoftheembers。
Butpresentlyshecametoahugeheapofstones，piledinaslopeagainstthewallofthecavern。Onthesesheclimbed，andsoonrecoveredthelevelofthethreadonlyhowevertofind，thenextmoment，thatitvanishedthroughtheheapofstones，andleftherstandingonit，withherfacetothesolidrock。Foroneterriblemomentshefeltasifhergrandmotherhadforsakenher。Thethreadwhichthespidershadspunfarovertheseas，whichhergrandmotherhadsatinthemoonlightandspunagainforher，whichshehadtemperedintherose—fireandtiedtoheropalring，hadlefther—hadgonewhereshecouldnolongerfollowit—hadbroughtherintoahorriblecavern，andtherelefther！Shewasforsakenindeed！
’WhenshallIwake？’shesaidtoherselfinanagony，butthesamemomentknewthatitwasnodream。Shethrewherselfupontheheap，andbegantocry。Itwaswellshedidnotknowwhatcreatures，oneofthemwithstoneshoesonherfeet，werelyinginthenextcave。
Butneitherdidsheknowwhowasontheothersideoftheslab。
Atlengththethoughtstruckherthatatleastshecouldfollowthethreadbackwards，andthusgetoutofthemountain，andhome。Sheroseatonce，andfoundthethread。Buttheinstantshetriedtofeelitbackwards，itvanishedfromhertouch。Forwards，itledherhanduptotheheapofstones—backwardsitseemednowhere。
Neithercouldsheseeitasbeforeinthelightofthefire。Sheburstintoawailingcry，andagainthrewherselfdownonthestones。
CHAPTER21
TheEscapeAstheprincesslayandsobbedshekeptfeelingthethreadmechanically，followingitwithherfingermanytimesuptothestonesinwhichitdisappeared。Byandbyshebegan，stillmechanically，topokeherfingerinafteritbetweenthestonesasfarasshecould。Allatonceitcameintoherheadthatshemightremovesomeofthestonesandseewherethethreadwentnext。
Almostlaughingatherselfforneverhavingthoughtofthisbefore，shejumpedtoherfeet。Herfearvanished;oncemoreshewascertainhergrandmother’sthreadcouldnothavebroughthertherejusttoleaveherthere;andshebegantothrowawaythestonesfromthetopasfastasshecould，sometimestwoorthreeatahandful，sometimestakingbothhandstoliftone。Afterclearingthemawayalittle，shefoundthatthethreadturnedandwentstraightdownwards。Hence，astheheapslopedagooddeal，growingofcoursewidertowardsitsbase，shehadtothrowawayamultitudeofstonestofollowthethread。Butthiswasnotall，forshesoonfoundthatthethread，aftergoingstraightdownforalittleway，turnedfirstsidewaysinonedirection，thensidewaysinanother，andthenshot，atvariousangles，hitherandthitherinsidetheheap，sothatshebegantobeafraidthattoclearthethreadshemustremovethewholehugegathering。Shewasdismayedattheveryidea，but，losingnotime，settoworkwithawill;andwithachingback，andbleedingfingersandhands，sheworkedon，sustainedbythepleasureofseeingtheheapslowlydiminishandbegintoshowitselfontheoppositesideofthefire。Anotherthingwhichhelpedtokeepuphercouragewasthat，asoftenassheuncoveredaturnofthethread，insteadoflyinglooseuponthestone，ittightenedup;thismadehersurethathergrandmotherwasattheendofitsomewhere。
Shehadgotabouthalf—waydownwhenshestarted，andnearlyfellwithfright。Closetoherearsasitseemed，avoicebrokeoutsinging：
’Jabber，bother，smash！
You’llhaveitallinacrash。
Jabber，smash，bother！
You’llhavetheworstofthepother。
Smash，bother，jabber！—’
HereCurdiestopped，eitherbecausehecouldnotfindarhymeto’jabber’，orbecauseherememberedwhathehadforgottenwhenhewokeupatthesoundofIrene’slabours，thathisplanwastomakethegoblinsthinkhewasgettingweak。ButhehadutteredenoughtoletIreneknowwhohewas。
’It’sCurdie！’shecriedjoyfully。
’Hush！hush！’cameCurdie’svoiceagainfromsomewhere。’Speaksoftly。’
’Why，youweresingingloud！’saidIrene。
’Yes。ButtheyknowIamhere，andtheydon’tknowyouare。Whoareyou？’
’I’mIrene，’answeredtheprincess。’Iknowwhoyouarequitewell。You’reCurdie。’
’Why，howeverdidyoucomehere，Irene？’
’Mygreat—great—grandmothersentme;andIthinkI’vefoundoutwhy。Youcan’tgetout，Isuppose？’
’No，Ican’t。Whatareyoudoing？’
’Clearingawayahugeheapofstones。’
’There’saprincess！’exclaimedCurdie，inatoneofdelight，butstillspeakinginlittlemorethanawhisper。’Ican’tthinkhowyougothere，though。’
’mygrandmothersentmeafterherthread。’
’Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，’saidCurdie;’butsoyou’rethere，itdoesn’tmuchmatter。’
’Oh，yes，itdoes！’returnedIrene。’Ishouldneverhavebeenherebutforher。’
’Youcantellmeallaboutitwhenwegetout，then。There’snotimetolosenow，’saidCurdie。
AndIrenewenttowork，asfreshaswhenshebegan。
’There’ssuchalotofstones！’shesaid。’Itwilltakemealongtimetogetthemallaway。’
’Howfaronhaveyougot？’askedCurdie。
’I’vegotaboutthehalfaway，buttheotherhalfiseversomuchbigger。’
’Idon’tthinkyouwillhavetomovethelowerhalf。Doyouseeaslablaidupagainstthewall？’
Irenelooked，andfeltaboutwithherhands，andsoonperceivedtheoutlinesoftheslab。
’Yes，’sheanswered，’Ido。’
’Then，Ithink，’rejoinedCurdie，’whenyouhaveclearedtheslababouthalf—waydown，orabitmore，Ishallbeabletopushitover。’
’Imustfollowmythread，’returnedIrene，’whateverIdo。’
’Whatdoyoumean？’exclaimedCurdie。
’Youwillseewhenyougetout，’answeredtheprincess，andwentonharderthanever。
ButshewassoonsatisfiedthatwhatCurdiewanteddoneandwhatthethreadwanteddonewereoneandthesamething。Forshenotonlysawthatbyfollowingtheturnsofthethreadshehadbeenclearingthefaceoftheslab，butthat，alittlemorethanhalf—waydown，thethreadwentthroughthechinkbetweentheslabandthewallintotheplacewhereCurdiewasconfined，sothatshecouldnotfollowitanyfartheruntiltheslabwasoutofherway。
Assoonasshefoundthis，shesaidinarightjoyouswhisper：
’Now，Curdie，Ithinkifyouweretogiveagreatpush，theslabwouldtumbleover。’
’Standquiteclearofit，then，’saidCurdie，’andletmeknowwhenyouareready。’
Irenegotofftheheap，andstoodononesideofit。’Now，Curdie！’shecried。
Curdiegaveagreatrushwithhisshoulderagainstit。Outtumbledtheslabontheheap，andoutcreptCurdieoverthetopofit。
’You’vesavedmylife，Irene！’hewhispered。
’Oh，Curdie！I’msoglad！Let’sgetoutofthishorridplaceasfastaswecan。’
’That’seasiersaidthandone，’returnedhe。
’Oh，no，it’squiteeasy，’saidIrene。’Wehaveonlytofollowmythread。Iamsurethatit’sgoingtotakeusoutnow。’
Shehadalreadybeguntofollowitoverthefallenslabintothehole，whileCurdiewassearchingthefloorofthecavernforhispickaxe。
’Hereitis！’hecried。’No，itisnot，’headded，inadisappointedtone。’Whatcanitbe，then？Ideclareit’satorch。
Thatisjolly！It’sbetteralmostthanmypickaxe。Muchbetterifitweren’tforthosestoneshoes！’hewenton，ashelightedthetorchbyblowingthelastembersoftheexpiringfire。
Whenhelookedup，withthelightedtorchcastingaglareintothegreatdarknessofthehugecavern，hecaughtsightofIrenedisappearingintheholeoutofwhichhehadhimselfjustcome。
’Whereareyougoingthere？’hecried。’That’snotthewayout。
That’swhereIcouldn’tgetout。’
’Iknowthat，’whisperedIrene。’Butthisisthewaymythreadgoes，andImustfollowit。’
’Whatnonsensethechildtalks！’saidCurdietohimself。’Imustfollowher，though，andseethatshecomestonoharm。Shewillsoonfindshecan’tgetoutthatway，andthenshewillcomewithme。’
Sohecreptovertheslaboncemoreintotheholewithhistorchinhishand。Butwhenhelookedaboutinit，hecouldseehernowhere。Andnowhediscoveredthatalthoughtheholewasnarrow，itwasmuchlongerthanhehadsupposed;forinonedirectiontheroofcamedownverylow，andtheholewentoffinanarrowpassage，ofwhichhecouldnotseetheend。Theprincessmusthavecreptinthere。Hegotonhiskneesandonehand，holdingthetorchwiththeother，andcreptafterher。Theholetwistedabout，insomepartssolowthathecouldhardlygetthrough，inotherssohighthathecouldnotseetheroof，buteverywhereitwasnarrow—fartoonarrowforagoblintogetthrough，andsoIpresumetheyneverthoughtthatCurdiemight。Hewasbeginningtofeelveryuncomfortablelestsomethingshouldhavebefallentheprincess，whenheheardhervoicealmostclosetohisear，whispering：
’Aren’tyoucoming，Curdie？’
Andwhenheturnedthenextcornerthereshestoodwaitingforhim。
’Iknewyoucouldn’tgowronginthatnarrowhole，butnowyoumustkeepbyme，forhereisagreatwideplace，’shesaid。
’Ican’tunderstandit，’saidCurdie，halftohimself，halftoIrene。
’Nevermind，’shereturned。’Waittillwegetout。’
Curdie，utterlyastonishedthatshehadalreadygotsofar，andbyapathhehadknownnothingof，thoughtitbettertoletherdoasshepleased。’Atallevents，’hesaidagaintohimself，’Iknownothingabouttheway，minerasIam;andsheseemstothinkshedoesknowsomethingaboutit，thoughhowsheshouldpassesmycomprehension。Soshe’sjustaslikelytofindherwayasIam，andassheinsistsontakingthelead，Imustfollow。Wecan’tbemuchworseoffthanweare，anyhow。’Reasoningthus，hefollowedherafewsteps，andcameoutinanothergreatcavern，acrosswhichIrenewalkedinastraightline，asconfidentlyasifshekneweverystepoftheway。Curdiewentonafterher，flashinghistorchabout，andtryingtoseesomethingofwhatlayaroundthem。
SuddenlyhestartedbackapaceasthelightfelluponsomethingclosebywhichIrenewaspassing。Itwasaplatformofrockraisedafewfeetfromthefloorandcoveredwithsheepskins，uponwhichlaytwohorriblefiguresasleep，atoncerecognizedbyCurdieasthekingandqueenofthegoblins。Heloweredhistorchinstantlylestthelightshouldawakethem。Ashedidsoitflasheduponhispickaxe，lyingbythesideofthequeen，whosehandlayclosebythehandleofit。
’Stoponemoment，’hewhispered。’Holdmytorch，anddon’tletthelightontheirfaces。’
Ireneshudderedwhenshesawthefrightfulcreatures，whomshehadpassedwithoutobservingthem，butshedidasherequested，andturningherback，heldthetorchlowinfrontofher。Curdiedrewhispickaxecarefullyaway，andashedidsospiedoneofherfeet，projectingfromundertheskins。Thegreatclumsygraniteshoe，exposedthustohishand，wasatemptationnottoberesisted。Helaidholdofit，and，withcautiousefforts，drewitoff。Themomenthesucceeded，hesawtohisastonishmentthatwhathehadsunginignorance，toannoythequeen，wasactuallytrue：shehadsixhorribletoes。Overjoyedathissuccess，andseeingbythehugebumpinthesheepskinswheretheotherfootwas，heproceededtoliftthemgently，for，ifhecouldonlysucceedincarryingawaytheothershoeaswell，hewouldbenomoreafraidofthegoblinsthanofsomanyflies。Butashepulledatthesecondshoethequeengaveagrowlandsatupinbed。Thesameinstantthekingawokealsoandsatupbesideher。
’Run，Irene！’criedCurdie，forthoughhewasnotnowintheleastafraidforhimself，hewasfortheprincess。
Irenelookedonceround，sawthefearfulcreaturesawake，andlikethewiseprincessshewas，dashedthetorchonthegroundandextinguishedit，cryingout：
’Here，Curdie，takemyhand。’
Hedartedtoherside，forgettingneitherthequeen’sshoenorhispickaxe，andcaughtholdofherhand，asshespedfearlesslywhereherthreadguidedher。Theyheardthequeengiveagreatbellow;
buttheyhadagoodstart，foritwouldbesometimebeforetheycouldgettorcheslightedtopursuethem。justastheythoughttheysawagleambehindthem，thethreadbroughtthemtoaverynarrowopening，throughwhichIrenecrepteasily，andCurdiewithdifficulty。
’Now，’saidCurdie;’Ithinkweshallbesafe。’
’Ofcourseweshall，’returnedIrene。’Whydoyouthinkso？’askedCurdie。
’Becausemygrandmotheristakingcareofus。’
’That’sallnonsense，’saidCurdie。’Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。’
’Thenifyoudon’tknowwhatImean，whatrighthaveyoutocallitnonsense？’askedtheprincess，alittleoffended。
’Ibegyourpardon，Irene，’saidCurdie;’Ididnotmeantovexyou。’
’Ofcoursenot，’returnedtheprincess。’Butwhydoyouthinkweshallbesafe？’
’Becausethekingandqueenarefartoostouttogetthroughthathole。’
’Theremightbewaysround，’saidtheprincess。
’Tobesuretheremight：wearenotoutofityet，’acknowledgedCurdie。
’Butwhatdoyoumeanbythekingandqueen？’askedtheprincess。
’Ishouldnevercallsuchcreaturesasthoseakingandaqueen。’
’Theirownpeopledo，though，’answeredCurdie。
Theprincessaskedmorequestions，andCurdie，astheywalkedleisurelyalong，gaveherafullaccount，notonlyofthecharacterandhabitsofthegoblins，sofarasheknewthem，butofhisownadventureswiththem，beginningfromtheverynightafterthatinwhichhehadmetherandLootieuponthemountain。Whenhehadfinished，hebeggedIrenetotellhimhowitwasthatshehadcometohisrescue。SoIrenetoohadtotellalongstory，whichshedidinratheraroundaboutmanner，interruptedbymanyquestionsconcerningthingsshehadnotexplained。Buthertale，ashedidnotbelievemorethanhalfofit，lefteverythingasunaccountabletohimasbefore，andhewasnearlyasmuchperplexedastowhathemustthinkoftheprincess。Hecouldnotbelievethatshewasdeliberatelytellingstories，andtheonlyconclusionhecouldcometowasthatLootiehadbeenplayingthechildtricks，inventingnoendofliestofrightenherforherownpurposes。
’ButhoweverdidLootiecometoletyougointothemountainsalone？’heasked。
’Lootieknowsnothingaboutit。Ileftherfastasleep—atleastIthinkso。Ihopemygrandmotherwon’tlethergetintotrouble，foritwasn’therfaultatall，asmygrandmotherverywellknows。’
’Buthowdidyoufindyourwaytome？’persistedCurdie。
’Itoldyoualready，’answeredIrene;’bykeepingmyfingeruponmygrandmother’sthread，asIamdoingnow。’
’Youdon’tmeanyou’vegotthethreadthere？’
’OfcourseIdo。Ihavetoldyousotentimesalready。Ihavehardly—exceptwhenIwasremovingthestones—takenmyfingeroffit。There！’sheadded，guidingCurdie’shandtothethread，’youfeelityourself—don’tyou？’
’Ifeelnothingatall，’repliedCurdie。
’Thenwhatcanbethematterwithyourfinger？Ifeelitperfectly。Tobesureitisverythin，andinthesunlightlooksjustlikethethreadofaspider，thoughtherearemanyofthemtwistedtogethertomakeit—butforallthatIcan’tthinkwhyyoushouldn’tfeelitaswellasIdo。’
Curdiewastoopolitetosayhedidnotbelievetherewasanythreadthereatall。Whathedidsaywas：
’Well，Icanmakenothingofit。’
’Ican，though，andyoumustbegladofthat，foritwilldoforbothofus。’
’We’renotoutyet，’saidCurdie。
’Wesoonshallbe，’returnedIreneconfidently。Andnowthethreadwentdownwards，andledIrene’shandtoaholeinthefloorofthecavern，whencecameasoundofrunningwaterwhichtheyhadbeenhearingforsometime。
’Itgoesintothegroundnow，Curdie，’shesaid，stopping。
Hehadbeenlisteningtoanothersound，whichhispractisedearhadcaughtlongago，andwhichalsohadbeengrowinglouder。Itwasthenoisethegoblin—minersmadeattheirwork，andtheyseemedtobeatnogreatdistancenow。Irenehearditthemomentshestopped。
’Whatisthatnoise？’sheasked。’Doyouknow，Curdie？’
’Yes。Itisthegoblinsdiggingandburrowing，’heanswered。
’Andyoudon’tknowwhattheydoitfor？’
’No;Ihaven’ttheleastidea。Wouldyouliketoseethem？’heasked，wishingtohaveanothertryaftertheirsecret。
’Ifmythreadtookmethere，Ishouldn’tmuchmind;butIdon’twanttoseethem，andIcan’tleavemythread。Itleadsmedownintothehole，andwehadbettergoatonce。’
’Verywell。ShallIgoinfirst？’saidCurdie。
’No;betternot。Youcan’tfeelthethread，’sheanswered，steppingdownthroughanarrowbreakinthefloorofthecavern。
’Oh！’shecried，’Iaminthewater。Itisrunningstrong—butitisnotdeep，andthereisjustroomtowalk。Makehaste，Curdie。’
Hetried，buttheholewastoosmallforhimtogetin。
’Goonalittlebithesaid，shoulderinghispickaxe。Inafewmomentshehadclearedalargeropeningandfollowedher。Theywenton，downanddownwiththerunningwater，Curdiegettingmoreandmoreafraiditwasleadingthemtosometerriblegulfintheheartofthemountain。InoneortwoplaceshehadtobreakawaytherocktomakeroombeforeevenIrenecouldgetthrough—atleastwithouthurtingherself。Butatlengththeyspiedaglimmeroflight，andinaminutemoretheywerealmostblindedbythefullsunlight，intowhichtheyemerged。Itwassomelittletimebeforetheprincesscouldseewellenoughtodiscoverthattheystoodinherowngarden，closebytheseatonwhichsheandherking—papahadsatthatafternoon。Theyhadcomeoutbythechannelofthelittlestream。Shedancedandclappedherhandswithdelight。
’Now，Curdie！’shecried，’won’tyoubelievewhatItoldyouaboutmygrandmotherandherthread？’
ForshehadfeltallthetimethatCurdiewasnotbelievingwhatshetoldhim。
’There！—don’tyouseeitshiningonbeforeus？’sheadded。
’Idon’tseeanything，’persistedCurdie。
’Thenyoumustbelievewithoutseeing，’saidtheprincess;’foryoucan’tdenyithasbroughtusoutofthemountain。’
’Ican’tdenyweareoutofthemountain，andIshouldbeveryungratefulindeedtodenythatyouhadbroughtmeoutofit。’
’Icouldn’thavedoneitbutforthethread，’persistedIrene。
’That’sthepartIdon’tunderstand。’
’well，comealong，andLootiewillgetyousomethingtoeat。Iamsureyoumustwantitverymuch。’
’IndeedIdo。Butmyfatherandmotherwillbesoanxiousaboutme，Imustmakehaste—firstupthemountaintotellmymother，andthendownintothemineagaintoletmyfatherknow。’
’Verywell，Curdie;butyoucan’tgetoutwithoutcomingthisway，andIwilltakeyouthroughthehouse，forthatisnearest。’
Theymetnoonebytheway，for，indeed，asbefore，thepeoplewerehereandthereandeverywheresearchingfortheprincess。WhentheygotinIrenefoundthatthethread，asshehadhalfexpected，wentuptheoldstaircase，andanewthoughtstruckher。SheturnedtoCurdieandsaid：
’Mygrandmotherwantsme。Docomeupwithmeandseeher。ThenyouwillknowthatIhavebeentellingyouthetruth。Docome—topleaseme，Curdie。Ican’tbearyoushouldthinkwhatIsayisnottrue。’
’Ineverdoubtedyoubelievedwhatyousaid，’returnedCurdie。’I
onlythoughtyouhadsomefancyinyourheadthatwasnotcorrect。’
’Butdocome，dearCurdie。’
Thelittleminercouldnotwithstandthisappeal，andthoughhefeltshyinwhatseemedtohimahugegrandhouse，heyielded，andfollowedherupthestair。
CHAPTER22
TheOldLadyandCurdieUpthestairthentheywent，andthenextandthenext，andthroughthelongrowsofemptyrooms，andupthelittletowerstair，Irenegrowinghappierandhappierassheascended。Therewasnoanswerwhensheknockedatlengthatthedooroftheworkroom，norcouldshehearanysoundofthespinning—wheel，andoncemoreherheartsankwithinher，butonlyforonemoment，assheturnedandknockedattheotherdoor。
’Comein，’answeredthesweetvoiceofhergrandmother，andIreneopenedthedoorandentered，followedbyCurdie。
’Youdarling！’criedthelady，whowasseatedbyafireofredrosesmingledwithwhite。’I’vebeenwaitingforyou，andindeedgettingalittleanxiousaboutyou，andbeginningtothinkwhetherIhadnotbettergoandfetchyoumyself。’
Asshespokeshetookthelittleprincessinherarmsandplacedheruponherlap。Shewasdressedinwhitenow，andlookingifpossiblemorelovelythanever。
’I’vebroughtCurdie，grandmother。Hewouldn’tbelievewhatItoldhimandsoI’vebroughthim。’
’Yes—Iseehim。Heisagoodboy，Curdie，andabraveboy。
Aren’tyougladyou’vegothimout？’
’Yes，grandmother。Butitwasn’tverygoodofhimnottobelievemewhenIwastellinghimthetruth。’
’Peoplemustbelievewhattheycan，andthosewhobelievemoremustnotbeharduponthosewhobelieveless。Idoubtifyouwouldhavebelieveditallyourselfifyouhadn’tseensomeofit。’
’Ah！yes，grandmother，Idaresay。I’msureyouareright。Buthe’llbelievenow。’
’Idon’tknowthat，’repliedhergrandmother。
’Won’tyou，Curdie？’saidIrene，lookingroundathimassheaskedthequestion。Hewasstandinginthemiddleofthefloor，staring，andlookingstrangelybewildered。Thisshethoughtcameofhisastonishmentatthebeautyofthelady。
’Makeabowtomygrandmother，Curdie，’shesaid。
’Idon’tseeanygrandmother，’answeredCurdierathergruffly。
’Don’tseemygrandmother，whenI’msittinginherlap？’exclaimedtheprincess。
’No，Idon’t，’reiteratedCurdie，inanoffendedtone。
’Don’tyouseethelovelyfireofroses—whiteonesamongstthemthistime？’askedIrene，almostasbewilderedashe。
’No，Idon’t，’answeredCurdie，almostsulkily。
’Northebluebed？Northerose—colouredcounterpane？—Northebeautifullight，likethemoon，hangingfromtheroof？’
’You’remakinggameofme，YourRoyalHighness;andafterwhatwehavecomethroughtogetherthisday，Idon’tthinkitiskindofyou，’saidCurdie，feelingverymuchhurt。
’Thenwhatdoyousee？’askedIrene，whoperceivedatoncethatforhernottobelievehimwasatleastasbadasforhimnottobelieveher。
’Iseeabig，bare，garret—room—liketheoneinmother’scottage，onlybigenoughtotakethecottageitselfin，andleaveagoodmarginallround，’answeredCurdie。
’Andwhatmoredoyousee？’
’Iseeatub，andaheapofmustystraw，andawitheredapple，andarayofsunlightcomingthroughaholeinthemiddleoftheroofandshiningonyourhead，andmakingalltheplacelookacuriousduskybrown。Ithinkyouhadbetterdropit，princess，andgodowntothenursery，likeagoodgirl。’
’Butdon’tyouhearmygrandmothertalkingtome？’askedIrene，almostcrying。
’No。Ihearthecooingofalotofpigeons。Ifyouwon’tcomedown，Iwillgowithoutyou。Ithinkthatwillbebetteranyhow，forI’msurenobodywhometuswouldbelieveawordwesaidtothem。Theywouldthinkwemadeitallup。Idon’texpectanybodybutmyownfatherandmothertobelieveme。TheyknowIwouldn’ttellastory。’
’Andyetyouwon’tbelieveme，Curdie？’expostulatedtheprincess，nowfairlycryingwithvexationandsorrowatthegulfbetweenherandCurdie。
’No。Ican’t，andIcan’thelpit，’saidCurdie，turningtoleavetheroom。
’WhatSHALLIdo，grandmother？’sobbedtheprincess，turningherfacerounduponthelady’sbosom，andshakingwithsuppressedsobs。
’Youmustgivehimtime，’saidhergrandmother;’andyoumustbecontentnottobebelievedforawhile。Itisveryhardtobear;
butIhavehadtobearit，andshallhavetobearitmanyatimeyet。IwilltakecareofwhatCurdiethinksofyouintheend。
Youmustlethimgonow。’
’You’renotcoming，areyou？’askedCurdie。
’No，Curdie;mygrandmothersaysImustletyougo。Turntotherightwhenyougettothebottomofallthestairs，andthatwilltakeyoutothehallwherethegreatdooris。’
’Oh！Idon’tdoubtIcanfindmyway—withoutyou，princess，oryouroldgrannie’sthreadeither，’saidCurdiequiterudely。
’Oh，Curdie！Curdie！’
’IwishIhadgonehomeatonce。I’mverymuchobligedtoyou，Irene，forgettingmeoutofthathole，butIwishyouhadn’tmadeafoolofmeafterwards。’
Hesaidthisasheopenedthedoor，whichheleftopen，and，withoutanotherword，wentdownthestair。Irenelistenedwithdismaytohisdepartingfootsteps。Thenturningagaintothelady：
’Whatdoesitallmean，grandmother？’shesobbed，andburstintofreshtears。
’Itmeans，mylove，thatIdidnotmeantoshowmyself。Curdieisnotyetabletobelievesomethings。Seeingisnotbelieving—itisonlyseeing。YourememberItoldyouthatifLootieweretoseeme，shewouldrubhereyes，forgetthehalfshesaw，andcalltheotherhalfnonsense。’
’Yes;butIshouldhavethoughtCurdie—’
’Youareright。CurdieismuchfartheronthanLootie，andyouwillseewhatwillcomeofit。Butinthemeantimeyoumustbecontent，Isay，tobemisunderstoodforawhile。Weareallveryanxioustobeunderstood，anditisveryhardnottobe。Butthereisonethingmuchmorenecessary。’
’Whatisthat，grandmother？’
’Tounderstandotherpeople。’
’Yes，grandmother。Imustbefair—forifI’mnotfairtootherpeople，I’mnotworthbeingunderstoodmyself。Isee。SoasCurdiecan’thelpit，Iwillnotbevexedwithhim，butjustwait。’
’There’smyowndearchild，’saidhergrandmother，andpressedherclosetoherbosom。
’Whyweren’tyouinyourworkroomwhenwecameup，grandmother？’
askedIrene，afterafewmoments’silence。
’IfIhadbeenthere，Curdiewouldhaveseenmewellenough。ButwhyshouldIbethereratherthaninthisbeautifulroom？’
’Ithoughtyouwouldbespinning。’
’I’venobodytospinforjustatpresent。IneverspinwithoutknowingforwhomIamspinning。’
’Thatremindsme—thereisonethingthatpuzzlesme，’saidtheprincess：’howareyoutogetthethreadoutofthemountainagain？
Surelyyouwon’thavetomakeanotherforme？Thatwouldbesuchatrouble！’
Theladysetherdownandroseandwenttothefire。Puttinginherhand，shedrewitoutagainandhelduptheshiningballbetweenherfingerandthumb。
’I’vegotitnow，yousee，’shesaid，comingbacktotheprincess，’allreadyforyouwhenyouwantit。’
Goingtohercabinet，shelaiditinthesamedrawerasbefore。
’Andhereisyourring，’sheadded，takingitfromthelittlefingerofherlefthandandputtingitontheforefingerofIrene’srighthand。
’Oh，thankyou，grandmother！Ifeelsosafenow！’
’Youareverytired，mychild，’theladywenton。’Yourhandsarehurtwiththestones，andIhavecountedninebruisesonyou。justlookwhatyouarelike。’
Andshehelduptoheralittlemirrorwhichshehadbroughtfromthecabinet。Theprincessburstintoamerrylaughatthesight。
Shewassodraggledwiththestreamanddirtywithcreepingthroughnarrowplaces，thatifshehadseenthereflectionwithoutknowingitwasareflection，shewouldhavetakenherselfforsomegipsychildwhosefacewaswashedandhaircombedaboutonceinamonth。
Theladylaughedtoo，andliftingheragainuponherknee，tookoffhercloakandnight—gown。Thenshecarriedhertothesideoftheroom。Irenewonderedwhatshewasgoingtodowithher，butaskednoquestions—onlystartingalittlewhenshefoundthatshewasgoingtolayherinthelargesilverbath;forasshelookedintoit，againshesawnobottom，butthestarsshiningmilesaway，asitseemed，inagreatbluegulf。Herhandsclosedinvoluntarilyonthebeautifularmsthatheldher，andthatwasall。
Theladypressedheroncemoretoherbosom，saying：
’Donotbeafraid，mychild。’
’No，grandmother，’answeredtheprincess，withalittlegasp;andthenextinstantshesankintheclearcoolwater。
Whensheopenedhereyes，shesawnothingbutastrangelovelyblueoverandbeneathandallabouther。Thelady，andthebeautifulroom，hadvanishedfromhersight，andsheseemedutterlyalone。
Butinsteadofbeingafraid，shefeltmorethanhappy—perfectlyblissful。Andfromsomewherecamethevoiceofthelady，singingastrangesweetsong，ofwhichshecoulddistinguisheveryword;
butofthesenseshehadonlyafeeling—nounderstanding。Norcouldsherememberasinglelineafteritwasgone。Itvanished，likethepoetryinadream，asfastasitcame。Inafteryears，however，shewouldsometimesfancythatsnatchesofmelodysuddenlyrisinginherbrainmustbelittlephrasesandfragmentsoftheairofthatsong;andtheveryfancywouldmakeherhappier，andablertodoherduty。
Howlongshelayinthewatershedidnotknow。Itseemedalongtime—notfromwearinessbutfrompleasure。Butatlastshefeltthebeautifulhandslayholdofher，andthroughthegurglingwatershewasliftedoutintothelovelyroom。Theladycarriedhertothefire，andsatdownwithherinherlap，anddriedhertenderlywiththesoftesttowel。ItwassodifferentfromLootie’sdrying。
Whentheladyhaddone，shestoopedtothefire，anddrewfromithernight—gown，aswhiteassnow。
’Howdelicious！’exclaimedtheprincess。’Itsmellsofalltherosesintheworld，Ithink。’
Whenshestooduponthefloorshefeltasifshehadbeenmadeoveragain。Everybruiseandallwearinessweregone，andherhandsweresoftandwholeasever。
’NowIamgoingtoputyoutobedforagoodsleep，’saidhergrandmother。
’ButwhatwillLootiebethinking？AndwhatamItosaytoherwhensheasksmewhereIhavebeen？’
’Don’ttroubleyourselfaboutit。Youwillfinditallcomeright，’saidhergrandmother，andlaidherintothebluebed，undertherosycounterpane。
’Thereisjustonethingmore，’saidIrene。’IamalittleanxiousaboutCurdie。AsIbroughthimintothehouse，Ioughttohaveseenhimsafeonhiswayhome。’
’Itookcareofallthat，’answeredthelady。’Itoldyoutolethimgo，andthereforeIwasboundtolookafterhim。Nobodysawhim，andheisnoweatingagooddinnerinhismother’scottagefarupinthemountain。’
’ThenIwillgotosleep，’saidIrene，andinafewminutesshewasfastasleep。