will sell you a loaf of what we bake for ourselves.
And take care of yourself in this place, my boy!
They do not love strangers here!"

Curdie thanked her as he took the bread, and she
added out loud, "That is a queer-looking animal you
have there!"

"Yes," answered Curdie. "She is no beauty.
But she is very good and we love each other, don't
we, Lina?"

Lina looked up and whined. Curdie threw her
half of his loaf, which she ate while her master and
the baker's wife talked a little. Then the baker's
wife gave them some water. After Curdie had paid
for his loaf and said good-by to the baker's wife he
and Lina went up the street together. And as he
went Curdie could not help thinking that he was not
getting a very good opinion of the people who lived
in the king's city. Somehow the habit of each man
caring only about himself did not make them a very
good sort, no matter how prosperous they were. And,
if the king was served by this sort of people only, it
might well be that he was in a great need of a differ-
ent kind of helper.

It was not long before he had a better chance still
to see of what kind were the people of rich and
prosperous Gwyntystorm.

-54-