It did all I did, as was its bounden duty; It echoed my sitting and standing and walking, My riding and ruling, and all but my talking. I've lost my shadow; It makes me sad, O! I would be glad, O! If I but had, O! My shadow. The King was very proud of his shadow Page 89 103 103 CHAPTER XIX TROUBLES AT THE ROYAL PALACE About the time these events were happening the Widow Pickle was preparing to make ready the King's breakfast. As she came from her house and approached the palace, her eyes rested upon the prostrate body of the King. "This," said the Widow Pickle, "is the strangest looking object I ever saw in all my life. I wonder what it is." At this time there came around the corner of the palace the Private Secretary of the King. "Good morning, Widow Pickle," said the Private Secretary. 104"Have you seen his Royal Highness anywhere this morning? It is nearly his breakfast hour, and no one knows where he is." 104 "I don't know either," said the Widow Pickle; "but I do know that it is scandalously late for any decent King to be lying abed. But tell me, what is this thing lying here, do you suppose?" As she spoke, she gave the King a poke with her foot, which immediately made him resolve
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