of this unheard-of breach of etiquette. She was doubtful how the
complaint would be received at any rate by Erebus.

They betook themselves at once to the cool and shady pool; and since
the sensation was no longer new and startling, the princess found it
rather pleasant to be hauled up the bank by the Terror. There was
something very satisfactory in his strength. Again they settled
themselves comfortably on the bank of the pool.

They were in the strongest contrast to one another. Beside the clear
golden tan of the Terror and the deeper gipsy-like brown of Erebus the
pale face of the princess looked waxen. The blue linen blouse, short
serge skirt and bare head and legs of Erebus and the blue linen shirt,
serge knickerbockers and bare head and legs of the Terror gave them an
air not only of coolness but also of a workmanlike freedom of limb. In
her woolen blouse, brown serge jacket and skirt, woolen stockings and
heavily-trimmed drooping hat the poor little princess looked a swaddled
sweltering doll melting in the heat.

She needed no pressing to take off her jacket and hat; and was pleased
by the Terror's observing that it was just silly to wear a hat at all
when one had such thick hair as she. But she was some time acting on
Erebus' suggestion that she should also pull off her stockings and be
more comfortable still.

At last she pulled them off, and for once comfortable, she began to
tell of the fuss the excited baroness had made the day before about her
having gone alone into such a fearful and dangerous place as the home
wood.

"I tell you what: you've spoilt that baroness," said the Terror when
she came to the end of her tale; and he spoke with firm conviction.

"But she's my _gouvernante_. I have to do as she bids," protested the
princess.

"That's all rubbish. You're the princess; and other people ought to do
what you tell them; and no old baroness should make you do any silly
thing you don't want to. She wouldn't me," said Erebus with even
greater conviction than the Terror had shown.

"I don't think she would," said the princess with a faint sigh; and she
looked at Erebus with envious eyes. "But when she starts making a fuss
and gets so red and excited, she--she--rather frightens me."

"It would take a lot more than that to frighten me," said Erebus with a
very cold ferocity.

"I rather like people like that. I think they look so funny when
they're really red and excited," said the Terro