“Bless you, Alice, I learnt it looking at him in the Temple--when the prayers were dull. I haven’t come under the Litany headings yet; I haven’t need of any of the things they pray for.” “Can you seriously love a man, Princess, when you take him off like that?” “Believe me it is the only true love. If I were married to a man, I should become his walking image--that’s why I prefer to remain single. He would abuse and neglect me more than his own shadow--and end by killing me.” “Killing you?” “Of course. Wouldn’t you kill your double if you had one?--I mean the one who doubled you every time you turned your back by way of recreation.” “For my peace of mind I’d never turn round to see.” “Not bad for the Board-School at all, Alice. Oh! I love the great High Priest; I simply, simply love him.” “At the Board-School they taught us a little self-control--to make us good citizens.” “Ah! what is self-control?” “Holding down the boiler lid to keep the steam in.” “And who sits on the boiler lid?” “Yourself.” “But the boiler will burst.” “Not if the fire is dead. You never sit on the boiler till the fire is out. It is rashness. If there is a fire you must have a safety-valve, and then you may sit on the lid again.” “I like the way they taught you, Alice. The great High Priest shall be my safety-valve, then I will sit on the lid and they will say the fire is out.” CHAPTER II “Alice, you are sure there are no mice in this little hovel?” “There are no mice in the cottage, Princess, and cockroach powder has been laid night and morning for the last month in preparation for your coming.” “There’s the bell for vespers. Quick! let me to the windows to see the priests’ procession through the cloisters. Alice, you are an angel to have got us this place. I feel like a nun, living thus under the shadow of the Temple. Do these rags become me? Am I dirty enough?” “I shame to look upon you, Princess, you have disguised yourself so utterly.” “No--no--look at my teeth. Are they not white as ever?” “Against your dirty face I think they look still whiter.” “And my eyes--are they not still a vivid, verdant green?” “They sparkle more in contrast to the dulness of your skin.” “And my hair--but it must be dyed. It must, or I shan’t wash it for a year. My hair must be dark like my face, if I am to be a _proper_ beggar girl.” “Touch your hair by so much as one thread, Princess, and I leave you here alone to the mice and cockroaches.” “Oh! Alice! the High Priest hasn’t come. There’s only two big Golden Ones. Oh! Look! Yes! There he is! Ah! my darling! Till I have kissed your lips the boiler lid is a dangerous position.” “Kissed his lips?” “Of course! Why not? Isn’t it legitimate to want to kiss the man you love?” “Yes--but his lips look as hard as marble.” “All the more pleasure in softening them with a kiss. And if that won’t do--put him in the boiler and boil him. Science explains exactly how he must be treated.”