` Caitiff ! ' she cries to your butler , '' his majesty went on ; '' ` perjured knave , thou liest in thy throat ! Gluckstein is a hundred leagues from here , and how say est thou that thou slewest the molester , and earnest hither in a few hours ' space ? ' This had not occurred to me , -- I am a plain king , but I at once saw the force of her majesty 's argument . Yes , ' said I ; ` how did you manage it ? ' But he -- your man , I mean -- was not a bit put out . ` Why , your majesty , ' says he , ' I just sat down on that there bit of carpet , wished I was here , and here I ham . And I 'd be glad , having had the trouble , -- and my time not being my own , -- to see the colour of them perkisits , according to the proclamation . ' On this her majesty grew more indignant , if possible . ` Nonsense ! ' she cried ; ' a story out of the ` Arabian Nights ' is not suited for a modern public , and fails to win æsthetic credence . ' These were her very words . '' `` Her majesty 's expressions are ever choice and appropriate , '' said the ambassador . '' ` Sit down there , on the carpet , knave , ' she went on ; ` ourself and consort ' -- meaning me -- ` will take our places by thy side , and I shall wish us in Gluckstein , at thy master 's ! When the experiment has failed , thy head shall from thy shoulders be shorn ! ' So your man merely said , ` Very well , mum , -- your majesty , I mean , ' and sat down . The queen took her place at the edge of the carpet ; I sat between her and the butler , and she said , ' I wish I were in Gluckstein ! ' Then we rose , flew through the air at an astonishing pace , and here we are ! So I suppose the rest of the butler 's tale is true , which I regret ; but a king 's word is sacred , and he shall take the place of that sneak , Prigio . But as we left home before dinner , and yours is over , may I request your lordship to believe that I should be delighted to take something cold ? ''
The ambassador at once ordered a sumptuous collation , to which the king did full justice ; and his majesty was shown XXXXX the royal chamber , as he complained of fatigue .
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