“What! ishenotsolidgold?”.“Faraway,” continuedthestatueinalowmusicalvoice,“, , andshehascoarse, redhands, allprickedbytheneedle, -flowersonasatingownfortheloveliestoftheQueen’, , , Swallow, littleSwallow, willyounotbringhertherubyoutofmysword-hilt? MyfeetarefastenedtothispedestalandIcannotmove.”
“IamwaitedforinEgypt,” saidtheSwallow.“MyfriendsareflyingupanddowntheNile, , , andhishandsarelikewitheredleaves.”
“Swallow, Swallow, littleSwallow,” saidthePrince,“willyounotstaywithmeforonenight, andbemymessenger? Theboyissothirsty, andthemothersosad.”
“Idon’tthinkIlikeboys,” answeredtheSwallow.“Lastsummer, whenIwasstayingontheriver, thereweretworudeboys, themiller’ssons, , ofcourse; weswallowsflyfartoowellforthat, andbesides, Icomeofafamilyfamousforitsagility; butstill, itwasamarkofdisrespect.”
ButtheHappyPrincelookedsosadthatthelittleSwallowwassorry.“Itisverycoldhere,” hesaid;“butIwillstaywithyouforonenight, andbeyourmessenger.”
“Thankyou, littleSwallow,” ’ssword, ,.“Howwonderfulthestarsare,” hesaidtoher,“andhowwonderfulisthepoweroflove!”
“IhopemydresswillbereadyintimefortheState-ball,” sheanswered;“Ihaveorderedpassion-flowerstobeembroideredonit; buttheseamstressesaresolazy.”
