12/32 And the brown, turbaned gentleman stood behind a sort of carved screen, and interpreted what the children said and what the queen said. And when the queen asked to buy the carpet, the children said 'No.' 'Why ?' asked the ranee. The queen spoke, and then the interpreter said-- 'My mistress says it is a good story, and you tell it all through without thought of time.' And they had to. It made a long story, especially as it had all to be told twice--once by Cyril and once by the interpreter. |