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.But probably nothing would havestopped her had not Morgan taken his mouth from the bottle, gazed around in distress, and started tocry, too.Sophie shut her mouth with a snap then and then opened it to say, All right, then.Explain. In the comparative quiet the tiny princess hushed Morgan, and he went back to feeding again. I didn t mean to bring the baby, said the soldier. What? saidSophie. You were going to desert my No, no, said the soldier. I told the genie to put him where someone would look after him and take meafter the Princess of Ingary.I won t deny I was after a reward. He appealed to Abdullah. But youknow what that genie s like, don t you? Next thing I knew, we were both here. Abdullah held the genie bottle up and looked at it. He got his wish, the genie said sulkily from inside. And the infant was yelling blue murder, said Princess Beatrice. Dalzel sent Hasruel to find out whatthe noise was, and all I could think of to say was that Princess Valeria was having a tantrum.Then, ofcourse, we had to get Valeria to scream.That was when Flower here started to make plans. She turned to Flower-in-the-Night, who was obviously thinking of something else and that somethingelse had nothing to do with Abdullah, Abdullah noted dismally.She was staring across the room. Beatrice, I think the cook is here with the dog, she said. Oh, good! said Beatrice. Come along, all of you. She strode toward the middle of the room.A man in a tall chef s hat was standing there.He was a seamed and hoary fellow with only one eye.Hisdog was pressed close to his legs, growling at any princess who came near.This probably expressed theway the cook was feeling, too.He looked thoroughly suspicious of everything. Jamal! shouted Abdullah.Then he held the genie bottle up and looked at it again. Well, itwas the nearest palace that wasn t Zanzib, the genie protested.Abdullah was so delighted to see his old friend safe that he did not argue with the genie.He barged pastten princesses, entirely forgetting his manners, and seized Jamal by the hand. My friend! Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlJamal s one eye stared.A tear came out of it as he wrung Abdullah s hand hard in return. You aresafe! he said.Jamal s dog bounced to its hind legs and planted its front paws on Abdullah s stomach,panting lovingly.A familiar squiddy breath filled the air.And Valeria promptly began screaming again. I don t want that doggy! He SMELLS! Oh, hush! said at least six princesses. Pretend, dear.We need the man s help. I& DON T& WANT& yelled Princess Valeria.Sophie tore herself away from where she was leaning critically over the tiny princess and marched downupon Valeria. Stop it, Valeria, she said. You remember me, don t you? It was clear Valeria did.She rushed at Sophie and wrapped her arms around her legs, where she burstinto much more genuine tears. Sophie, Sophie, Sophie! Take mehome ! Sophie sat down on the floor and hugged her. There, there.Of course, we ll take you home.We vejust got to arrange it first.It s very odd, she remarked to the surrounding princesses. I feel quite expertwith Valeria, but I m scared stiff of dropping Morgan. You ll learn, said the elderly Princess of High Norland, sitting stiffly down beside her. I m told they alldo. Flower-in-the-Night stepped to the center of the room. My friends, she said, and all three kindgentlemen, we must now put our heads together to discuss the plight in which we find ourselves andmake plans for our early release.First, however, it would be prudent to put a spell of silence upon thedoorway.It would not do for our kidnappers to overhear. Her eyes, in the most thoughtful and neutralway, went to the genie bottle in Abdullah s hand. No! said the genie. Try to make me do anything and you re all toads! I ll do it, said Sophie.She scrambled up with Valeria still clinging to her skirts and went over to thedoorway, where she took hold of a handful of the curtain there. Now, you re not the kind of cloth to letany sound through, are you? she remarked to the curtain. I suggest you have a word with the walls andmake that quite clear.Tell them no one s going to be able to hear a word we say inside this room. A murmur of relief and approval came from most of the princesses at this.But Flower-in-the-Night said, My pardon for being critical, skillful sorceress, butI think the djinns should be able to hearsomething orelse they will become suspicious. The tiny princess from Tsapfan wandered up with Morgan looking huge in her arms.Carefully shepassed the baby to Sophie.Sophie looked terrified and held Morgan as if he were a bomb about to blowup.This seemed to displease Morgan.He waved his arms.While the tiny princess was laying both smallhands on the curtain, several looks of utter distaste chased themselves across his face. Burp! heremarked.Sophie jumped and all but dropped Morgan. Heavens! she said. I d no idea they did that! Valeria laughed heartily. My brother does all the time. Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlThe tiny princess made gestures to show that she had now dealt with Flower-in-the-Night s objection.Everyone listened closely.In the distance somewhere they could now hear the pleasant ringing hum ofprincesses chatting together.There was even an occasional yell that sounded like Valeria. Most perfect, said Flower-in-the-Night.She smiled warmly at the tiny princess, and Abdullah wishedshe would only smile like that at him. Now if every person could sit down, we can lay some plans toescape. Everyone obeyed in his or her own way.Jamal squatted with his dog in his arms, looking suspicious.Sophie sat on the floor with Morgan clumsily in her arms and Valeria leaning against her.Valeria wasquite happy now.Abdullah sat cross-legged beside Jamal.The soldier came and sat about two placesaway, whereupon Abdullah took tight hold of the genie bottle and gripped the carpet over his shoulderwith the other hand. That girl Flower-in-the-Night is a real marvel, Princess Beatrice remarked as she sat herself betweenAbdullah and the soldier. She came here knowing nothing unless she d read it out of a book.And shelearns all the time
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