A Tale of Two Choices
No sooner had Edmund reached the bottom step than a gong sounded and Princess Amelia was announced.
Princess Amelia had arrived. She was accompanied by an entourage of maids and a page boy dressed in a red and blue uniform. Edmund had never met Princess Amelia in person, had only seen her from a distance on state occasions. He was immediately entranced.
Edmund aprroached the Princess deferentially, stooping to kiss her hand. "Your Highness," he bowed, "It is an honour that you could come to my little gathering."
"Yes, it is isn't it?" replied Princess Amelia stifling a yawn. "Mummy said it would be good form."
"Is there anything I can get you? Anything at all?"
"Have you not read the etiquette rules that I arranged to have sent to you last week? I quote 'On the arrival of Her Highness' (that is me) 'the host shall immediately present her with a glass of champagne, preferably an 1874 vintage. The host will then allow Her Highness to amuse herself and will only talk to her if spoken to.' So where is my drink?"
Edmund could not remember reading those rules, particularly not the bit about not speaking to the Princess. He snapped his fingers and the Butler arrived with a class of champagne balanced precariously on a silk pillow. Edmund presented this to Princess Amelia and said:-
Princess Amelia had arrived. She was accompanied by an entourage of maids and a page boy dressed in a red and blue uniform. Edmund had never met Princess Amelia in person, had only seen her from a distance on state occasions. He was immediately entranced.
Edmund aprroached the Princess deferentially, stooping to kiss her hand. "Your Highness," he bowed, "It is an honour that you could come to my little gathering."
"Yes, it is isn't it?" replied Princess Amelia stifling a yawn. "Mummy said it would be good form."
"Is there anything I can get you? Anything at all?"
"Have you not read the etiquette rules that I arranged to have sent to you last week? I quote 'On the arrival of Her Highness' (that is me) 'the host shall immediately present her with a glass of champagne, preferably an 1874 vintage. The host will then allow Her Highness to amuse herself and will only talk to her if spoken to.' So where is my drink?"
Edmund could not remember reading those rules, particularly not the bit about not speaking to the Princess. He snapped his fingers and the Butler arrived with a class of champagne balanced precariously on a silk pillow. Edmund presented this to Princess Amelia and said:-