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<h3> PREFACE </h3> This book was written in 1915, for the amusement of my wife and myself at a time when life was not very amusing; it was published at the end of 1917; was reviewed, if at all, as one of a parcel, by some brisk uncle from the Tiny Tots Department; and died quietly, without seriously detracting from the interest which was being taken in the World War, then in progress. It may be that the circumstances in which the book was written have made me unduly fond of it. When, as sometimes happens, I am introduced to a stranger who starts the conversation on the right lines by praising, however insincerely, my books, I always say, "But you have not read the best one." Nine times out of ten it is so. The tenth takes a place in the family calendar; St. Michael or St. Agatha, as the case may be, a red-letter or black-letter saint, according to whether the book was bought or borrowed. But there are few such saints, and both my publisher and I have the feeling (so common to publishers and authors) that there ought to be more. So here comes the book again, in a new dress, with new decorations, yet much, as far as I am concerned, the same book, making the same appeal to me; but, let us hope, a new appeal, this time, to others. For whom, then, is the book intended? That is the trouble. Unless I can say, "For those, young or old, who like the things which I like," I find it difficult to answer. Is it a children's book? Well, what do we mean by that? Is The Wind in the Willows a children's book? Is Alice in Wonderland? Is Treasure Island? These are masterpieces which we read with pleasure as children, but with how much more pleasure when we are grown-up. In any case what do we mean by "children"? A boy of three, a girl of six, a boy of ten, a girl of fourteen—are they all to like the same thing? And is a book "suitable for a boy of twelve" any more likely to please a boy of twelve than a modern novel is likely to please a man of thirty-seven; even if the novel be described truly as "suitable for a man of thirty-seven"? I confess that I cannot grapple with these difficult problems. But I am very sure of this: that no one can write a book which children will like, unless he write it for himself first. That being so, I shall say boldly that this is a story for grown-ups. How grown-up I did not realise until I received a letter from an unknown reader a few weeks after its first publication; a letter which said that he was delighted with my clever satires of the Kaiser, Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Asquith, but he could not be sure which of the characters were meant to be Mr. Winston Churchill and Mr. Bonar Law. Would I tell him on the enclosed postcard? I replied that they were thinly disguised on the title-page as Messrs. Hodder & Stoughton. In fact, it is not that sort of book. But, as you see, I am still finding it difficult to explain just what sort of book it is. Perhaps no explanation is necessary. Read in it what you like; read it to whomever you like; be of what age you like; it can only fall into one of two classes. Either you will enjoy it, or you won't. It is that sort of book. A. A. Milne. <ANTIMG src="images/0013X.jpg" alt="[Illustration: Contents page decoration of a child bent over a large boot]"> <h3> CONTENTS </h3> I.—The King of Euralia has a Visitor to Breakfast II.—The Chancellor of Barodia has a Long Walk Home III.—The King of Euralia Draws his Sword IV.—The Princess Hyacinth Leaves it to the Countess V.—Belvane Indulges her Hobby VI.—There are no Wizards in Barodia VII.—The Princess Receives a Letter and Writes One VIII.—Prince Udo Sleeps Badly IX.—They are Afraid of Udo X.—Charlotte Patacake Astonishes the Critics XI.—Watercress Seems to go with the Ears XII.—We Decide to Write to Udo's Father XIII.—"Pink" Rhymes with "Think" XIV.—"Why Can't you be like Wiggs?" XV.—There is a Lover Waiting for Hyacinth XVI.—Belvane Enjoys Herself XVII.—The King of Barodia Drops the Whisker Habit XVIII.—The Veteran of the Forest Entertains Two Very Young People XIX.—Udo Behaves Like a Gentleman XX.—Coronel Knows a Good Story when he Hears it XXI.—A Serpent Coming after Udo XXII.—The Seventeen Volumes go back Again <ANTIMG src="images/0015X.jpg" alt="[Illustration: A dark-haired girl in medieval garb in a pastoral scene]"> <h3> ILLUSTRATIONS </h3> A Map of Euralia showing the Adjacent Country of Barodia and the far-distant Araby He was a Man of Simple Tastes "Most extraordinary," said the King He found the King nursing a Bent Whisker and in the very Vilest of Tempers "Try it on me," cried the Countess Five Times he had come back to give her his Last Instructions Armed to the Teeth, Amazon after Amazon marched by When the Respective Armies returned to Camp they found Their Majesties asleep The Rabbit was gone, and there was a Fairy in front of her As Evening fell they came to a Woodman's Cottage at the Foot of a High Hill "Coronel, here I am," said Udo pathetically, and he stepped out Twenty-one Minutes later Henrietta Crossbuns was acknowledging a Bag of Gold Princess Hyacinth gave a Shriek and faltered slowly backwards "Now we can talk," said Hyacinth He forgot his Manners, and made a Jump towards her She glided gracefully behind the Sundial in a Pretty Affectation of Alarm When anybody of Superior Station or Age came into the Room she rose and curtsied And then she danced "Good Morning," said Belvane The Tent seemed to swim before his Eyes, and he knew no more She turned round and went off daintily down the Hill Let me present to you my friend the Duke Coronel As the Towers of the Castle came in sight, Merriwig drew a Deep Breath of Happiness Belvane leading the Way with her Finger to her Lips Merriwig following with an Exaggerated Caution He was a Pleasant-looking Person, with a Round Clean-shaven Face Roger Scurvilegs <ANTIMG src="images/0017X.jpg" alt="Illustration: End of Illustration List Decoration"> <ANTIMG src="images/0019.jpg" alt="Illustration: Page 1 Decoration"> <ANTIMG src="images/0020.jpg" alt="[Frontispiece: A Map of Euralia showing the Adjacent Country of Barodia and the far-distant Araby]"> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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