is ever so long, and said, 'Take those rags, you little
beggar creature, and strip off everything belonging to honest people,
and go about your business'; and she actually tore off the poor little
delicate thing's back almost all her things, and told her to be off out
of the house.

Poor Betsinda huddled the cloak round her back, on which were
embroidered the letters PRIN. . . ROSAL. . . and then came a great rent.

As for the shoe, what was she to do with one poor little tootsey sandal?
the string was still to it, so she hung it round her neck.

'Won't you give me a pair of shoes to go out in the snow, mum, if you
please, mum?' cried the poor child.

'No, you wicked beast!' says Gruffanuff, driving her along with the
poker--driving her down the cold stairs--driving her through the cold
hall--flinging her out into the cold street, so that the knocker itself
shed tears to see her!

But a kind fairy made the soft snow warm for her little feet, and she
wrapped herself up in the ermine of her mantle, and was gone!

'And now let us think about breakfast,' says the greedy Queen.

'What dress shall I put on, mamma? the pink or the peagreen?' says
Angelica. 'Which do you think the dear Prince will like best?'

'Mrs. V.!' sings out the King from his dressing-room, 'let us have
sausages for breakfast! Remember we have Prince Bulbo staying with us!'

And they all went to get ready.

Nine o'clock came, and they were all in the breakfast-room, and no
Prince Bulbo as yet. The urn was hissing and humming: the muffins were
smoking--such a heap of muffins! the eggs were done, there was a pot
of raspberry jam, and coffee, and a beautiful chicken and tongue on the
side-table. Marmitonio the cook brought in the sausages. Oh, how nice
they smelt!

'Where is Bulbo?' said the King. 'John, where is His Royal Highness?'
John said he had a took hup His Roilighnessesses shaving-water, and
his clothes and things, and he wasn't in his room, which he sposed His
Royliness was just stepped trout.

'Stepped out before breakfast in the snow! Impossible!' says the King,
sticking his fork into a sausage. 'My dear, take one. Angelica, won't
you have a saveloy?' The Princess took one, being very fond of them; and
at this moment Glumboso entered with Captain Hedzoff, both looking very
much disturbed.

'I am afraid Your Majesty--' cries Glumboso.

'No business before breakfast, Glum!' says the King.' Breakfast first,
business next. Mrs. V.,