Page:Once a Week Volume 8.djvu/64

56 So saying, he drew forth the great Sword of Justice, eighteen feet long, which he always carried in his waistcoat-pocket, and presented it to the prince.

“Go,” he said, “meritorious youth; cut the head off that vile and hateful monster, and cast it out to the kites, wolves, and foxes.”

The prince took the sword with a respectful bow, and going up to the ogre, who was now rolling on the floor, and blubbering like a great coward, as he was, flourished the weapon thrice, and then brought it down with so fair a blow on the giant’s neck, that the head rolled from the shoulders; so there was an end of Uglymuggimo.

“Young man,” then said the Chief Baron of the Fairies, “I am pleased with your conduct on the whole, though you allowed a base thought to get the better of you for a moment: so if there is anything that you would like, mention it before the Court rises, and I will grant it you.”

“My Lord,” said the prince, again bowing respectfully, “I have more than I deserve already, and I wish for nothing further for myself; but if you could do anything to make that poor old woman more comfortable who taught me so good a lesson, I should be much obliged to you.”

“Very well,” said his lordship, “so be it; if you call upon her as you go home, I think you will see a change for the better.”

So the prince walked cheerfully down the hill again; but when he came to the old woman’s home, what do you think he saw? Instead of the wretched tumble-down old hovel that he had left, he saw the prettiest, neatest, white cottage you can imagine, covered with roses and honeysuckles; and walking in, he found the old lady nicely dressed, sitting in a comfortable arm-chair, and looking as snug and happy as possible.

“Well, ma’am,” said he, “how do you do, again? I hope you feel a little better than you did?”

“Oh, sir!” said she, “I am sure I don’t know what has come over me! All my pains are gone; the house and everything seems grown new and fresh again; and, if I only had some nice young companion to live with me and look after me a bit, I should not envy the Queen of Cashmere herself.”

No sooner had she said this, than the door opened, and a pretty little maiden, dressed in white, and walking rather lame, came in with a curtsey; and without saying a word, set about getting down the cups and saucers, and making the old lady some tea.

“Who and what are you, my dear,” said the dame in astonishment, “and who sent you here?”

“Please, ma’am,” said the little maiden, “I am the pigeon that you were so kind to. A fine little gentleman, sitting on a flying inkstand, touched me just now with a wand, which turned me into what you see; and then he told me to come and live with you for the rest of your days; which, I am sure, I shall be most happy to do.”

So the prince went home very well contented; but he ever afterwards took care not to lose his way out hunting.