the grey brethren(阴郁的教友们)-第9部分
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to pay them out； and she would like to scratch her。 Then they all set to
work arguing and quarrelling and crying like silly babies； when suddenly a
familiar 〃Cuck…oo！〃 sounded in their ears； and they saw our old
acquaintance perched on the window sill。
He looked at the six little green feet； and his eyes twinkled； but before
he could speak the three angry maidens all began scolding him at once； for
they were delighted to have somebody fresh to find fault with。
The cuckoo； being in some respects a philosopher； did not attempt to
interrupt； but when they were quite exhausted he said he really could not
see any reason for their distress。 No one would ever wish to see their feet；
and they could always wear stockings。 He added that he had great news；
and had come on purpose to bring it。
〃The King of Silverland；〃 he said； 〃is coming with all his court to hold
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high revel close to this place and celebrate the coming of age of his three
sons。 These princes were all born at once； and the king has decided to
divide his kingdom into three equal parts and leave his sons to rule while
he retires to his country place to study science。 Now these Silver princes
desire to marry three princesses； sisters born at once like themselves； but
they are very hard to find； and the king is advertising everywhere for
triplets。 When I heard this I set off at once to tell you。〃
The three maidens were so much interested and excited that they
forgot their troubles and began to sing。
The cuckoo was pleased with his success； but told them they must go
to bed and to sleep； and he would fetch them in the morning to show them
the way to the King of Silverland's court。
Next morning； although he arrived quite early； the maidens were up
and ready for him； looking very pretty in their yellow frocks。 The kind
people of the house were quite sorry to part with their guests and begged
them to come again； and the daffodil maidens set off in high spirits；
following the cuckoo as he flew slowly ahead across the sunlit meadows。
About noon they came in sight of the king's court。 The gorgeous tents
were of cloth of silver fastened with silver ropes； fountains were playing
in the open spaces； and flags flying everywhere。 The daffodils attracted a
great deal of attention as they made their way； blushing and a little
frightened； through the crowds of soldiers； court ladies and attendants。
At the door of the largest and most gorgeous tent stood three beautiful
princes dressed in silver。
When they saw the maidens approaching； hand in hand； they gave a
cry of joy and ran forward to greet them。
〃Dear beautiful princesses；〃 they cried； 〃welcome to our court！ May
we ask your names and the country you come from？〃
The cuckoo； perched on a tent…pole hard by； answered for them。
〃These are the Princesses Daffodil； daughters of the great King of
Goldenland。 They have come very many days' journey to be present at
your revels。〃
Think of the cuckoo telling such a dreadful story and those naughty
daffodils not contradicting him！
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When the princes heard the cuckoo's words they were almost beside
themselves with joy； for； as it happened； there was a real King of
Goldenland （but the cuckoo did not know it）； and he had three daughters
of the same age whom the Silver princes were anxious to see。 They
dropped on one knee； kissed the maidens' hands very prettily； and then led
them； blushing and delighted； into the royal tent。
The king was out； but the queen received the daffodils very graciously。
〃Triplet；〃 she said significantly； and it was the princes' turn to blush。
Then the young people visited all the beautiful tents； and the great
ballroom where there was to be a ball that night； and the princes whispered
to the maidens that they would dance with no one else。 When they had
tasted the cowslip wine from the fountains and eaten lots of wonderful
sweets the daffodils declared they were quite tired； so the princes put them
into hammocks with little monkeys to swing them； and the happy hours
wore on until the evening。
The maidens had had a beautiful tent assigned to them by the queen；
and they found lovely dresses of cloth of gold with shoes and stockings to
match； all ready for them。 They looked so beautiful when they were
dressed that the colour of their feet did not seem to matter at all。
All that night they danced with the princes； and everyone was charmed
with their beauty and grace； especially the king； who had not received a
single answer to his advertisement。 At the great banquet which followed
the ball the betrothal of the Silver princes to the Golden princesses was
solemnly announced； and their health drunk amid great rejoicing。
The dawn was red in the east before the festivities were over； and the
daffodils went to bed happier than they had ever been before； happier than
they ever would be again。 A new and awful trouble of which they had
never dreamt was about to befall them。
When the princes came to meet their betrothed next morning the
maidens noticed that； although very affectionate； they were downcast and
somewhat silent。 At last； after a great deal of questioning； the reason
came out。 The king and queen had both had exactly the same curious
dream； and this strange occurrence had upset their majesties very much。
They both dreamt that one of the princesses； as they believed them to be；
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had six toes on each foot； and as no monstrosity could ever share the
throne of Silverland they demanded to see the princesses' little feet with
their own eyes； so as to be quite sure they all had only the right number of
toes。
When the princes with many blushes broke this news to their lady…
loves； they each gave a short loud scream and fainted。
Their lovers； of course； put this down to extreme modesty； and were
much affected by such proper conduct； but when they succeeded in
restoring them to consciousness they were not a little disturbed to find that
the maidens positively refused to show their feet。
Imagine the grief of the poor princes！ The king had said quite
positively that not one of the princes should marry till he； the queen； and
the councillors of the kingdom； had seen the bride's feet； and the maidens
now declared that they would never never show them。
Matters were in this awkward state when the cuckoo appeared on the
scene。 He had as usual contrived to find out what was going on； and now
announced that he had a private message for the Golden princesses； if they
would take him to their tent。
When they were alone the daffodils began to cry their eyes out； and the
cuckoo to try and comfort them。
〃Green feet；〃 he said； 〃are very uncommon and would no doubt be
welcomed as a great rarity。〃
But the maidens sobbed on。
〃The princes love you so much they will think your little feet the most
beautiful colour in the world。〃
But they would not listen。
〃I heard the king and queen say that green was their favourite colour；〃
he remarked next。
This was pure invention on the cuckoo's part； but the daffodils were
somewhat cheered； and after a great deal of talking the cuckoo persuaded
them to give in and consent to show their feet； as they could not possibly
marry the princes without。 Besides； perhaps when the king found their
toes were all right he would think the colour rather ornamental than
otherwise。 So the princes were told to their great joy that the princesses
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had consented to show their feet； and the king and queen； on being
informed； summoned a Cabinet Council for the next morning so that their
ministers might be present at the counting of the princesses' toes。
Meantime the real Goldenland princesses had arrived near the camp；
but as they and their suite were very tired they resolved not to visit the
Silver king till the next day； and commanded that no one should mention
their arrival。
That night the daffodils never slept； for fear once more took possession
of them。 They scrubbed their feet； but the fairy's dye would not come off；
then they scraped them； but that hurt very much and did no good。 Finally
they chalked them； but that was no use at all； so they had to give it up in
despair； and hope for the best。
Next morning two of the court ushers came to escort them to the
Cabinet Council。
