'Yes, indeed it is!' said the nurse, beginning to cry again. 'And
I shall have to suffer for it.'

'What does that matter?' said the boy. 'It must be your fault. It
is the princess who will suffer for it. I hope they didn't hear
you call her the princess. If they did, they're sure to know her
again: they're awfully sharp.'

'Lootie! Lootie!' cried the princess. 'Take me home.'

'Don't go on like that,' said the nurse to the boy, almost
fiercely. 'How could I help it? I lost my way.'

'You shouldn't have been out so late. You wouldn't have lost your
way if you hadn't been frightened,' said the boy. 'Come along.
I'll soon set you right again. Shall I carry your little
Highness?'

'Impertinence!' murmured the nurse, but she did not say it aloud,
for she thought if she made him angry he might take his revenge by
telling someone belonging to the house, and then it would be sure
to come to the king's ears. 'No, thank you,' said Irene. 'I can
walk very well, though I can't run so fast as nursie. If you will
give me one hand, Lootie will give me another, and then I shall get
on famously.'

They soon had her between them, holding a hand of each.

'Now let's run,' said the nurse.