At the King's command several of his attendants hastened away to give the proper orders to the castle servants and no sooner were they gone than a skinny old man entered the courtyard and bowed before the King.
This disagreeable person was dressed in rich velvets, with many furbelows and laces.

He was covered with golden chains, finely wrought rings and jeweled ornaments.

He walked with mincing steps and glared at all the courtiers as if he considered himself far superior to any or all of them.
"Well, well, your Majesty; what news--what news ?" he demanded, in a shrill, cracked voice.
The King gave him a surly look.
"No news, Lord Googly-Goo, except that strangers have arrived," he said.
Googly-Goo cast a contemptuous glance at Cap'n Bill and a disdainful one at Trot and Button-Bright.

Then he said: "Strangers do not interest me, your Majesty.

But the Princess Gloria is very interesting--very interesting, indeed! What does she say, Sire?
Will she marry me ?" "Ask her," retorted the King.
"I have, many times; and every time she has refused." "Well ?" said the King harshly.
"Well," said Googly-Goo in a jaunty tone, "a bird that can sing, and won't sing, must be made to sing." "Huh!" sneered the King.