CHAPTER X.
AND THE ENTERTAINMENT OF ROYALTY The time had come for the Twins to take their annual change of air.
They took that change at but a short distance from their home, since the cost of a visit to the sea was more than their mother could afford.
They were allowed to encamp for ten days, if the weather were fine, in the dry sandstone caves of Deeping Knoll, which rises in the middle of Little Deeping wood, the property of Mr.Anstruther.
Kind-hearted as the Twins were, they felt that to make the journey from the knoll to Muttle Deeping home wood was beyond the bounds of philanthropy; and they broke the news to the princess as gently as they could.

She was so deeply grieved to learn that she was no longer going to enjoy their society that, in spite of the fact that she had been made well aware that they despised and abhorred tears, she was presently weeping.

She was ashamed; but she could not help it.

The compassionate Twins compromised; they promised her that they would try to come every third afternoon; and with that she had to be content.
None the less on the eve of their departure she was deploring bitterly the fact that she would not see them on the morrow, when the Terror was magnificently inspired.
"Look here: why shouldn't you come with us into camp ?" he said eagerly.
"A week of it would buck you up more than a month at the Grange.

You really do get open air camping out at the knoll." The face of the princess flushed and brightened at the splendid thought.