To the Slavonian Ambassador she said,
“You have come at exactly the right time, Your Excellency, because Captain Darius and I have finished and I found my lesson very interesting, except, of course, there is always a difficulty with verbs and vowels when one starts a new language.”
The Ambassador laughed.
“That is indeed true, Your Royal Highness, but I am glad that Captain Darius has proved a good instructor. Do you really wish to carry on?”
“Of course I do!” Giona replied. “I shall look forward to having my lesson tomorrow morning. I am only sorry that this afternoon I have to go shopping with Mama.”
“For your trousseau,” the Ambassador said genially. “And that is very important if you are to look beautiful for your new husband.”
“Yes, of course,” Giona said. “That is why Mama is t
