CHAPTER 31, part 3
'My grandmother is in no danger,' said Irene, smiling. 'Here, Curdie, take the princess while I get on my horse,' said the king. Curdie took the princess again, and both turned their eyes to the globe of light. The same moment there shot from it a white bird, which, descending with outstretched wings, made one circle round the king an Curdie and the princess, and then glided up again. The light and the pigeon vanished together.
'Now, Curdie!' said the princess, as he lifted her to her father's arms, 'you see my grandmother knows all about it, and isn't frightened. I believe she could walk through that water and it wouldn't wet her a bit.' 'But, my child,' said the king, 'you will be cold if you haven't Something more on. Run, Curdie, my boy, and fetch anything you can lay your hands on, to keep the princess warm. We have a long ride before us.' Curdie was gone in a moment, and soon returned with a great rich fur, and the news that dead goblins were tossing about in the current through the house. They had been caught in their own snare; instead of the mine they had flooded their own country, whence they were now swept up drowned. Irene shuddered, but the king held her close to his bosom. Then he turned to Sir Walter, and said:
'Bring Curdie's father and mother here.' 'I wish,' said the king, when they stood before him, 'to take your son with me. He shall enter my bodyguard at once, and wait further promotion.' Peter and his wife, overcome, only murmured almost inaudible thanks. But Curdie spoke aloud.
'Please, Your Majesty,' he said, 'I cannot leave my father and mother.' 'That's right, Curdie!' cried the princess. 'I wouldn't if I was you.' The king looked at the princess and then at Curdie with a glow of satisfaction on his countenance.
'I too think you are right, Curdie,' he said, 'and I will not ask you again. But I shall have a chance of doing something for you some time.' 'Your Majesty has already allowed me to serve you,' said Curdie. 'But, Curdie,' said his mother, 'why shouldn't you go with the king? We can get on very well without you.' 'But I can't get on very well without you,' said Curdie. 'The king is very kind, but I could not be half the use to him that I am to you.
