But to Curdie he said: 'You are my own boy, Curdie.

My child cannot choose but love you, and when you are grown up--if you both will--you shall marry each other, and be king and queen when I am gone.

Till then be the king's Curdie.' Irene held out her arms to Curdie.

He raised her in his, and she kissed him.
'And my Curdie too!' she said.
Thereafter the people called him Prince Conrad; but the king always called him either just Curdie, or my miner boy.
They sat down to supper, and Derba and the knight and the housemaid waited, and Barbara sat at the king's left hand.

The housemaid poured out the wine; and as she poured for Curdie red wine that foamed in the cup, as if glad to see the light whence it had been banished so long, she looked him in the eyes.