Pig Latin--Not Just for Pigs! by Kate McMullan

Author:Kate McMullan
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin USA, Inc.

Chapter 7

“Guards!” called Erica.

Two red-coated guards trotted over to her and saluted.

“See to Fawnsley!” she commanded.

No wonder Erica was so bossy, Wiglaf thought. She was used to giving orders. And used to being obeyed. The guards picked Fawnsley up under his arms and dragged him away.

Erica beckoned her friends. “Come! Let us go to my father,” she said.

The group hurried after her up the steps and into the palace. They rushed through room after room, passing red-coated guards, blue-uniformed servants, and lovely young maidens in lacy silken dresses. Wiglaf stared at them in wonder.

“Are they princesses, too?” he asked.

“They are ladies-in-waiting,” said Erica. “I am the only princess around here.”

Erica led them up a wide staircase and down a hallway. At the end of it, Wiglaf heard someone groaning.

Erica pushed open a golden door and ran into the chamber, calling, “Popsy!”

The others stepped into the room. It was vast—ten times the size of Wiglaf’s whole hovel in Pinwick. The king lay in a great canopy bed at the far end of the chamber.

“Woe!” he cried, staring into a looking glass. “Woe is I!”

Even from a distance, Wiglaf could see that the king was covered with pox.

“Can you help him, Daisy?” Wiglaf asked.

“Erhaps-pay,” she whispered.

The king lowered his looking glass. “I say!” he cried. “Is that you, Poppet?”

Erica hugged him. “Yes, Popsy!” she said.

“I am be-poxed!” wailed the king. He held up the looking glass again. “Oh, fie! A new pox is popping up on my nose!”

Daisy trotted up to the king’s bed.

“Ood-gay ay-day, Our-yay Oyal-ray Ighnesshay,” she said.

“Gadzooks!” cried the king again. “I thought I heard the pig speak!”

Wiglaf stepped forward. “You did, sire,” he said. “Her name is Daisy and she said, ‘Good day, Your Royal Highness.’ ”

“Good day?” The king glanced again into the looking glass. “Not for me, it isn’t.”

“Daisy may be of help to you, sire,” said Wiglaf. “She knows how to get rid of pox.”

“She knows all about healing herbs, Popsy,” added Erica.

“Isterwort-blay is-yay est-bay,” Daisy said.

“Blisterwort is best,” Wiglaf translated.

“I say!” said King Ken. “Has Fawnsley sent me a pig doctor?”

Suddenly the door opened again.

“Never fear!” cried a man in a black cloak and wide-brimmed black hat. He carried a black box. “Dr. Leechworth is here!” He rushed over to the king. “Everybody out!” he shouted. “And take that filthy swine with you.”

“Not so fast,” said Erica. “How do we know you are a good doctor?”

“I cured the Prince of Sneezblastia’s hay fever,” said Dr. Leechworth. “I removed warts from the Queen of Toadsgrabia. I took out the Duchess of Strepthroatsia’s tonsils! And now I will cure King Ken’s pox!”

“How?” asked Erica.

Dr. Leechworth smiled and held up his black box. “I have here the world’s most advanced medicine,” he said, setting the box on the king’s bedside table. He opened it. Dozens of little snakelike heads popped up.

“Down, boys,” said the doctor. “Patience! You shall all get a taste of the king.”

“What are those things?” cried Angus.

“Leeches,” said the doctor. “They will draw out the king’s bad blood.

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