70 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [.

 

to him forcibly by Pettina that he would in the long
run gain more by generosity, and that a slave who
detested him would be less useful than a friend
bound to him by ties of gratitude, he was gradually
brought round to that view of the case, and agreed
that his enemy should be spared and liberated, on
condition of owning himself inferior to his conqueror,
and binding himself never more to destroy the pigs
of the latter.

The rest of the story will not take long to tell.
The victorious army having feasted royally at the
Giant’s expense, prepared shortly afterwards for their
departure. Old Dame Skrinklegriggs, however, first
appeared upon the scene. Dreadfully afraid that her
impertinent language to the two Princesses would be
remembered against her, she endeavoured to atone for
it by the most abject servility and fawning adulation.
Throwing herself at the feet of the sisters, she ex-
claimed :

‘Oh, Royal Ladies—more lovely than ladies ever
were before, and more charming than any that shall
ever come after you. Beautiful creatures, have mercy
on an old servant who has only erred from zeal for
her old master! Let me kiss your feet and be your
slave for ever, and bear no malice against so humble
a being as Iam,

At these words the sisters smiled.

‘Be under no apprehension, old woman,’ said Mal-
vina. ‘We scarce remember your words, and have no
thought of injuring you. Still, we would advise you
and all others who hear us to remember that civility