Yet he seemed willing to leave his work and explain to the
visitors how he made so many beautiful things out of gold, for he
took much pride in this labor and knew its artistic worth. Moreover,
since he had been in Zog's castle these were the first strangers to
enter his workshop, so he welcomed them in his own gruff way.
The queen asked him if he was happy, and he shook his head and
replied, "It isn't like Calcutta, where I used to work in gold
before I was wrecked at sea and nearly drowned. Zog rescued me and
brought me here a slave. It is a stupid life we lead, doing the same
things over and over every day, but perhaps it is better than being
dead. I'm not sure. The only pleasure I get in life is in creating
pretty things out of gold."
"Could you forge me a golden sword?" asked the Queen, smiling
sweetly upon the goldsmith.
"I could, madam, but I won't unless Zog orders me to do it."
"Do you like Zog better than you do me?" inquired Aquareine.
"No," was the answer. "I hate Zog."
"Then won't you make the sword to please me and to show your skill?"
pleaded the pretty mermaid.
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