But Mother Ceres was a great way off , and could not hear the cry . As they rode on , the stranger did his best to soothe her . `` Why should you be so frightened , my pretty child ? '' said he , trying to soften his rough voice . `` I promise not to do you any harm . What ! you have been gathering flowers ? Wait till we come to my palace , and I will give you a garden full of prettier flowers than those , all made of pearls , and diamonds , and rubies . Can you guess who I am ? They call my name Pluto ; and I am the king of diamonds and all other precious stones . Every atom of the gold and silver that lies under the earth belongs to me , to say nothing of the copper and iron , and of the coal mines , which supply me with abundance of fuel . Do you see this splendid crown upon my head ? You may have it for a plaything . O , we shall be very good friends , and you will find me more agreeable than you expect , when once we get out of this troublesome sunshine . '' `` Let me go home ! '' cried Proserpina . `` Let me go home ! '' `` My home is better than your mother 's , '' answered King Pluto . `` It is a palace , all made of gold , with crystal windows ; and because there is little or no sunshine thereabouts , the apartments are illuminated with diamond lamps . You never saw anything half so magnificent as my throne .
If you like , you may sit down XXXXX it , and be my little queen , and I will sit on the footstool . ''
as because for off on than till to under upon