The Ordinary Princess Read Online Free PDF Page B

sun began to sink behind the distant horizon, they said they must go home.
    “Oh dear,” said the nicest girl (her name was Clorinda and she was just as freckled and jolly as the Ordinary Princess), “it’s sad to think that this is probably the last time for months that we shall be able to come out here and pick flowers and enjoy ourselves.”

    “Why do you say that?” asked the Ordinary Princess. She had hoped that they might come again soon, for they were nice, laughing, cheerful girls and not a bit like the fine ladies of the court.
    “Haven’t you heard?” asked the one whose name was Phyllida. “The Council of State is getting in a dragon to lay waste the countryside, and once the creature arrives it won’t be safe to go outside the city walls.”
    “Whatever do you mean, ‘getting in a dragon’?” demanded the Ordinary Princess. “Do you mean on purpose? But whatever for?”
    “It’s on purpose all right,” nodded Clorinda. “You must come from some very out of the way village if you haven’t heard about it. It’s because of the princess, you know.”
    “The princess!”
    “Yes. You see, nobody wants to marry her because she’s not pretty as princesses go.”
    “But the dragon?” insisted the Ordinary Princess. “Go on about the dragon. Whyever a dragon?”
    “Well you see, it’s this way,” said Clorinda, plumping herself down on the moss and quite willing to explain. “The King and all the old councillors think that if they hire a dragon to lay waste the countryside, and keep the princess shut up in a tower where no one can see her, they can send out a proclamation to say that whoever kills the dragon can marry her. Well, you know what princes are,” said Clorinda wisely. “Just a lot of little boys when it comes to killing dragons. So of course some prince will get all heroic and kill the poor creature, and as soon as he does he’ll simply have to marry the princess. See?”
    “I see,” said the Ordinary Princess.
    “It may be all right for the King,” said Clorinda, “but I must say, I think it’s bad luck on his kingdom.” She got up off the moss and began filling her apron with the bluebells she had picked. “No more picnics,” she said sadly. “And the dragon is sure to kill some poor villager’s cows and sheep before it gets killed itself. I think it’s a shame.”
    “Yes,” agreed the Ordinary Princess. “You’re right, Clorinda. It is a shame. And what’s more, it ought to be stopped. And I know how to stop it!”
    “What’s that?” asked Clorinda, who had been busy with her flowers.
    “Nothing,” said the Ordinary Princess. “I was only thinking aloud. I say, Clorinda ... would you do something for me?”
    “Surely,” said Clorinda. “What is it?”
    “You’re about my size,” said the Ordinary Princess, frowning thoughtfully. “Will you swap your dress for mine?”
    Clorinda looked a bit doubtful.
    “Come on,” urged the Ordinary Princess. “Just for fun.”
    “Well—” said Clorinda, “I suppose it’s all right. But that’s an awfully pretty dress you’ve got on—much nicer than mine.”
    “Then that’s settled,” said the Ordinary Princess. “Come on, behind that tree trunk.”
    A few minutes later there came out from behind the tree a princess in a plain homespun dress and a print apron, and a girl in a trailing gown of amethyst-colored brocade.
    “Here are my shoes and stockings,” said the Ordinary Princess, pulling them out of a hollow oak where she had hidden them. “I say, we do fit each other’s clothes well, don’t we?”
    “It’s a simply lovely dress,” sighed Clorinda, stroking the brocaded folds. “I didn’t realize it was such a grand one, the way you had it all bunched up. I’ve always wanted one like this ... are you sure you don’t mind?”
    “Of course not. I’ve always wanted one like this,” said the Ordinary Princess. “You’d better run, Clorinda—your friends have started.”
    “Oh