“That'sasmaybe, Ma'am, ” saidPuddleglumverystifflyandonhisguard.
“We'relookingfortheruinedcityofthegiants, ” saidJill.
“Ther-r-ruinedcity? ” saidtheLady.“? ”
“We'vegotto—” beganJill, butPuddlegluminterrupted.
“Beggingyourpardon, Ma''tknowyouoryourfriend—asilentchap, isn'the? —andyoudon''dassoonnottalktostrangersaboutourbusiness, ifyoudon', doyouthink? ”
TheLadylaughed: therichest, mostmusicallaughyoucanimagine.“Well, children, ” shesaid, “youhaveawise, , butI', , , civil, prudent, andcourteousasthoseofEttinsmoorarefoolish, fierce, savage, , , or, attheleast, , softbeds, andbrighthearths; andtheroastandthebakedandthesweetandthestrongwillbeonthetablefourtimesinaday.”
“Isay! ” exclaimedScrubb.“That'ssomethinglike! Thinkofsleepinginabedagain.”
“Yes, andhavingahotbath, ” saidJill.“Doyouthinkthey'llaskustostay? Wedon'tknowthem, yousee.”
“Onlytellthem, ” answeredtheLady, “thatSheoftheGreenKirtlesalutesthembyyou, andhassentthemtwofairSouthernchildrenfortheAutumnFeast.”
“Oh, thankyou, thankyoueversomuch, ” saidJillandScrubb.
“Buthaveacare, ” saidtheLady.“OnwhateverdayyoureachHarfang, , anditisthecustomofthecastlethattheyopentononewhenoncetheyhavedrawnbolt, howhardsoeverheknock.”
Thechildrenthankedheragain, withshiningeyes, .
“Well! ” saidPuddleglum.“I'dgiveagooddealtoknowwhereshe'scomingfromandwhereshe', isshe? Uptonogood, I'llbebound.”
“Ohrot! ” saidScrubb.“'talongwayoff.”
“Samehere, ” saidJill.“Andhadn'! ”
“Allthesame, ” saidPuddleglum, “Iwishweknewabitmoreabouther.”
