As you may think, Mrs. Duddlestone was strangely surprised at the news; but she did not become excited; she very seldom did, I believe.

“Ay, ay!” she called.  “I’m coming;” and then muttered, “The Queen’s husband! the Queen’s husband!  Sure, that can never be—­however, I’ll go down and see.”

She ran to her closet, and pulled out a nice, clean apron and cap, and tied, the one round her waist, and the other round her comely face, saying all the time, “Dear me, dear me, to think of it!” and away she ran down stairs, where stood her husband and the two gentlemen.

The good woman bowed low, first to one and then to the other.

“Indeed, but I’m proud,” she said, turning to Prince George, “to welcome you to our home.  ’Tis but poor and humble, but we shall think more of it after this.  I’ll hurry and get dinner at once.  I dare say you are hungry, gentlemen.”

Prince George laughed gayly, as he thanked her for her kind welcome, and sat down.

The table was soon spread, and the Prince ate well, and appeared to enjoy himself so much, that Mrs. Duddlestone could scarcely believe he had always been accustomed to lords and ladies and footmen, and had never before sat down in such an humble way.

Prince George inquired about their business and pleasures.

“Do you never come up to London?” he asked; “I think you would find it worth your while to take a holiday some time, and see the great city.”

“Ah well,” said Mrs. Duddlestone, “if that is not just the thing I long for.  I’ve never been yet, nor am I likely to go, but John has been once or twice.”

“And why, John, have you never taken your wife as well, to see the great sights?”

“Well, to say the truth,” answered John, “I do not go to see the sights; for though I’ve been two or three times, I don’t think I’ve seen any.

“I must needs go sometimes to buy whalebone, and other trifles which I must have for my business here.  So I just go and come back, and meddle with none.”

“Well, well,” said the Prince, “the next time you come to London, you must bring your wife with you, and pay me a visit.”

Mrs. Duddlestone clasped her fat little hands with delight.

“And shall I see the Queen?” she exclaimed.

“And see both the Queen and myself,” answered the Prince.  “Come, John, say you will do so!”

“Surely, sir,” said John, “I should like to give the good woman a bit of pleasure in that way, but your grand servants would shut the doors before us, and never let us in, perhaps.”

“I can soon set that right!” and taking a card from his pocket, Prince George wrote a few words on it, and gave it to them.

“That will gain you ready admission,” he said, “and now I must leave you.  Next time we meet, I shall entertain and care for you.  For the present, I thank you for your kind welcome and good dinner, which I have heartily enjoyed.”