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。