16 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND, i.

She sprang from her seat hastily, and throwing
herself upon her knees in front of the little gentleman,
clasped her hands again, and exclaimed in a tone of
piteous entreaty—

‘Oh sir, caw you tell me anything of my lost
one—yours are the first words of comfort I have
heard for many a long day: give me, oh give me my
boy, and I will bless you for ever !’

‘Do you like your turkeys roast or boiled?’
calmly enquired the individual thus addressed, which
question appeared so ill-timed and extraordinary to the
Queen that she was utterly confused for the moment.
‘Because, continued the speaker, ‘there are two
opinions upon that point, as upon everything else.
Roast turkey is excellent when hot, but the bird is so
much better cold when it has been boiled, that I can
never quite agree with those who say that “a turkey
boiled is a turkey spoiled.” ’

By this time the Queen had somewhat recovered
her equanimity, and again earnestly accosted the
dwarf, for so indeed he might be called.

‘ Sir, sir,’ she cried, ‘I beseech you trifle not with
a mother’s feelings. If you know anything of my lost
darling, tell me ; by all you hold dear, I adjure you to
tell me at once.’

‘There are three things,’ gravely replied the little
man, ‘ which through life, you will do well to avoid.
Never fly into a passion—never sit: long with wet
feet, and do not takea hedgehog in your hands without
gloves.’

At this disrespectful and trying reply to her
entreaty, the Queen began to wax wroth, and rising