He took his way first to the room the princess had spoken of, and
there also were the remains of supper; but neither there nor in the
kitchen could he find a scrap of plain wholesome-looking bread. So
he returned and told her that as soon as it was light he would go
into the city for some, and asked her for a handkerchief to tie it
in. If he could not bring it himself, he would send it by Lina,
who could keep out of sight better than he, and as soon as all was
quiet at night he would come to her again. He also asked her to
tell the king that he was in the house. His hope lay in the fact
that bakers everywhere go to work early. But it was yet much too
early. So he persuaded the princess to lie down, promising to call
her if the king should stir.
CHAPTER 21
The Loaf
His Majesty slept very quietly. The dawn had grown almost day, and
still Curdie lingered, unwilling to disturb the princess.
At last, however, he called her, and she was in the room in a
moment. She had slept, she said, and felt quite fresh. Delighted
to find her father still asleep, and so peacefully, she pushed her
chair close to the bed, and sat down with her hands in her lap.
Curdie got his mattock from where he had hidden it behind a great
mirror, and went to the cellar, followed by Lina. They took some
breakfast with them as they passed through the hall, and as soon as
they had eaten it went out the back way.
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