THE GOOD OF A FEW WORDS

“King!” said Beppo; “how can I be king ?”

“You shall be king,” said the princess.

“ But the king is everything,” said Beppo, “and 1 am
nothing at all.”

“Great things come from small beginnings,” said the
princess ; “a big tree from a little seed.”

Some little distance away from the river was the
- twinkle of a light, and thither Beppo led the princess.
When the two came to it, they found it was a little
hut, for there were fish-nets hanging outside in the
moonlight.

Beppo knocked.

An old woman opened the door. She stared and stared,
as well she might, to see the fine lady in silks and satins,
with a gold ring upon her finger, and nobody with her but
one who looked like a poor beggar-man.

“Who are you and what do you want ?” said the old
woman.

‘‘Who we are,” said the princess, ‘does not matter,
except that we are honest folk in trouble. What we want
is shelter for the night and food to eat, and that we will
pay for.”

“ Shelter I can give you,” said the old woman, “but
little else but a crust of bread anda cup of water. One
time there was enough and plenty in the house; but now,
since my husband has gone and I am left all alone, it is
little I have to eat and drink. But such as I have to give
you are welcome to.”

Then Beppo and the princess went into the house.

The next morning the princess called Beppo to her.
“ Here,” said she, “is a ring and a letter. Go you into
127