'
The cook was seated on a grassy mound with her court of
copper-coloured savages around her. The burglar pointed a grimy
finger at these.
'Are they tame?' he asked anxiously. 'Do they bite or scratch, or
do anything to yer with poisoned arrows or oyster shells or that?'
'Don't you be so timid,' said the cook. 'Look'e 'ere, this 'ere's
only a dream what you've come into, an' as it's only a dream
there's no nonsense about what a young lady like me ought to say or
not, so I'll say you're the best-looking fellow I've seen this many
a day. And the dream goes on and on, seemingly, as long as you
behaves. The things what you has to eat and drink tastes just as
good as real ones, and--'
'Look 'ere,' said the burglar, 'I've come 'ere straight outer the
pleece station. These 'ere kids'll tell you it ain't no blame er
mine.'
'Well, you WERE a burglar, you know,' said the truthful Anthea
gently.
'Only because I was druv to it by dishonest blokes, as well you
knows, miss,' rejoined the criminal. 'Blowed if this ain't the
'ottest January as I've known for years.'
'Wouldn't you like a bath?' asked the queen, 'and some white
clothes like me?'
'I should only look a juggins in 'em, miss, thanking you all the
same,' was the reply; 'but a bath I wouldn't resist, and my shirt
was only clean on week before last.
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