She was very fond of adorning herself, so he would tie a piece of cotton round her ear, and hang a blue bead on it underneath for an ear-ring.

The ear-rings varied with a red bead, and a golden bead, and a little pearl bead. And as he came home at night, seeing her bridling and looking very self-conscious, he took notice and said:

“So you're wearing your best golden and pearl ear-rings, to-day?”

“Yes.”

“I suppose you've been to see the queen?”

“Yes, I have.”

“Oh, and what had she to say?”

“She said — she said — 'You won't dirty your nice white frock.”'

He