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6. The Heads of Langwidere
SowhenLangwideresatinhereasychairandplayedsoftmelodiesuponhermandolin,herformwasmirroredhundredsoftimes,inwallsandceilingandfloor,andwhicheverwaytheladyturnedherheadshecouldseeandadmireherownfeatures.Thisshelovedtodo,andjustasthemaidenteredshewassayingtoherself:
"Thisheadwiththeauburnhairandhazeleyesisquiteattractive.ImustwearitmoreoftenthanIhavedoneoflate,althoughitmaynotbethebestofmycollection."
"Youhavecompany,YourHighness,"announcedthemaid,bowinglow.
"Whoisit?"askedLangwidere,yawning.
"DorothyGaleofKansas,Mr.TiktokandBillina,"answeredthemaid.
"Whataqueerlotofnames!"murmuredthePrincess,beginningtobealittleinterested."Whataretheylike?IsDorothyGaleofKansaspretty?"
"Shemightbecalledso,"themaidreplied.
"AndisMr.Tiktokattractive?"continuedthePrincess.
"ThatIcannotsay,YourHighness.Butheseemsverybright.WillYourGraciousHighnessseethem?"
"Oh,Imayaswell,Nanda.ButIamtiredadmiringthishead,andifmyvisitorhasanyclaimtobeautyImusttakecarethatshedoesnotsurpassme.SoIwillgotomycabinetandchangetoNo.17,whichIthinkismybestappearance.Don’tyou?"
"YourNo.17isexceedinglybeautiful,"answeredNanda,withanotherbow.
AgainthePrincessyawned.Thenshesaid:
"Helpmetorise."
Sothemaidassistedhertogainherfeet,althoughLangwiderewasthestrongerofthetwo;andthenthePrincessslowlywalkedacrossthesilverfloortohercabinet,leaningheavilyateverystepuponNanda’sarm.
