48 . WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [I.

 

‘Sir, responded Malvina, with a queenly air, ‘ pray
do not disturb your excellent domestic on our account
—for excellent I do not doubt she is, albeit her name
chance to be none of the most euphonious. We
can wait upon each other, and have long been ac-
customed to dispense with maids, who constantly pull
one’s hair, talk when they are not wanted to do so, and
not unfrequently smell disagreeably of beer. We will
beg, therefore, to dispense with your housekeeper’s
assistance. And before we proceed to the rooms
which you have been good enough to provide for us,
we would fain enquire of you as to the brother of whom
we are in search. What steps do you propose to take
in order to make that search effectual ?’

The Giant’s brow darkened as Malvina spoke these
words. ‘Quench my philanthropy !’ cried he—using
an oath now almost out of date, but once greatly in
vogue among giants and ogres, and bearing at that time
a fearful import,—‘ you speak like a queen, young lady,
and seem to intend to have it all yourownway. Scorn
the attentions of my housekeeper and require me to
proceed to business before dinner! May I never
touch pickled pork again—let alone cabbage—if I do
any such thing. Let us eat and drink, and talk of
business to-morrow morning. Surely that will be time
enough !’

‘Sir, replied the elder Princess in the same calm,
cold. tone, ‘we would not be discourteous, neither
do we desire to trouble you unnecessarily. Neverthe-
less, we may not be backward in urging the matter
about which we have come hither, neither can we pay