Queen Ann and her army also went out; but
the others were so interested in Betsy's
experiment that they remained grouped at the mouth
of the passageway. When the big rock swung into
place, closing tight the opening, they were left
in total darkness.
"Now, then," called Betsy in a cheerful voice,
"have you got that handkerchief off your face,
Ugly?"
"Yes," he replied.
"Well, where are you, then?" she asked, reaching
out her arms.
"Here," said he.
"You'll have to stoop down, you know."
He found her hands and clasping them in his own
stooped until his face was near to that of the
little girl. The others heard a clear, smacking
kiss, and then Betsy exclaimed:
"There! I've done it, and it didn't hurt a bit!"
"Tell me, dear brother; is the charm broken?"
asked Shaggy.
"I do not know," was the reply. "It may be, or
it may not be. I cannot tell."
"Has anyone a match?" inquired Betsy.
"I have several," said Shaggy.
"Then let Ruggedo strike one of them and look at
your brother's face, while we all turn our backs.
Ruggedo made your brother ugly, so I guess he can
stand the horror of looking at him, if the charm
isn't broken."
Agreeing to this, Ruggedo took the match and
lighted it. He gave one look and then blew out
the match.
"Ugly as ever!" he said with a shudder. "So it
wasn't the kiss of a Mortal Maid, after all."
"Let me try," proposed the Rose Princess, in her
sweet voice. "I am a Mortal Maid who was once a
Fairy.
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