took for black. When they came close up to it, they saw it was
red.

'Good evening!' said Peter.

'Good evening!' returned the old woman, in a voice as old as
herself.

But Curdie took off his cap and said:

'I am your servant, Princess.'

The old woman replied:

'Come to me in the dove tower tomorrow night, Curdie - alone.'

'I will, ma'am,' said Curdie.

So they parted, and father and son went home to wife and mother -
two persons in one rich, happy woman.



CHAPTER 8
Curdie's Mission


The next night Curdie went home from the mine a little earlier than
usual, to make himself tidy before going to the dove tower. The
princess had not appointed an exact time for him to be there; he