'
'Bread at least he shall have,' said Curdie; 'and that, with the
honest wine, will do as well as anything, I do believe. I will go
at once and look for some. But I want you to see Lina first, and
know her, lest, coming upon her by accident at any time, you should
be frightened.'
'I should like much to see her,' said the princess.
Warning her not to be startled by her ugliness, he went to the door
and called her.
She entered, creeping with downcast head, and dragging her tail
over the floor behind her. Curdie watched the princess as the
frightful creature came nearer and nearer. One shudder went from
head to foot, and next instant she stepped to meet her. Lina
dropped flat on the floor, and covered her face with her two big
paws. It went to the heart of the princess: in a moment she was on
her knees beside her, stroking her ugly head, and patting her all
over.
'Good dog! Dear ugly dog!' she said.
Lina whimpered.
'I believe,' said Curdie, 'from what your grandmother told me, that
Lina is a woman, and that she was naughty, but is now growing
good.'
Lina had lifted her head while Irene was caressing her; now she
dropped it again between her paws; but the princess took it in her
hands, and kissed the forehead betwixt the gold-green eyes.
'Shall I take her with me or leave her?' asked Curdie.
'Leave her, poor dear,' said Irene, and Curdie, knowing the way
now, went without her.
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