Chapter Twenty-Three

Ruggedo Reforms

It did not take them long to regain the royal cavern of the Nome King, where Kaliko ordered served to them the nicest refreshments the place afforded.

Ruggedo had come trailing along after the rest of the party and while no one paid any attention to the old King they did not offer any objection to his presence or command him to leave them. He looked fearfully to see if the eggs were still guarding the entrance, but they had now disappeared; so he crept into the cavern after the others and humbly squatted down in a corner of the room.

There Betsy discovered him. All of the little girl's companions were now so happy at the success of Shaggy's quest for his brother, and the laughter and merriment seemed so general, that Betsy's heart softened toward the friendless old man who had once been their bitter enemy, and she carried to him some of the food and drink. Ruggedo's eyes filled with tears at this unexpected kindness. He took the child's hand in his own and pressed it gratefully.

"Look here, Kaliko," said Betsy, addressing the new King, "what's the use of being hard on Ruggedo? All his magic power is gone, so he can't do any more harm, and I'm sure he's sorry he acted so badly to everybody."

"Are you?" asked Kaliko, looking down at his former master.

"I am," said Ruggedo. "The girl speaks truly. I'm sorry and I'm harmless. I don't want to wander through the wide world, on top of the ground, for I'm a nome. No nome can ever be happy any place but underground."

1. Who used to be in charge?
2. Was he a nice leader?
3. Who's in charge now?
4. Does anyone feel bad for the former leader?
5. Where are they at?
6. Was the chow rotten?
7. Did anyone tell the former leader to stay away?
8. Who had been questing?
9. For what?
10. Did he succeed?
11. Were the people miserable?
12. What mood were they in?
13. What did the the girl bring to the former leader?
14. Did he spit at her?
15. What did he do?
16. Anything else?
17. What?
18. Did he used to be mystical?
19. Is the former leader regretful?
20. Would he rather live above or below ground?

Numbered answers:
1. Ruggedo
2. no
3. Kaliko,
4. no one had done, but Betsy's heart softened
5. he royal cavern of the Nome King
6. unknown
7. no
8. Shaggy
9. for his brother,
10. yes
11. no
12. so happy
13. she carried to him some of the food and drink.
14. no
15. first his eyes filled with tears
16. yes
17. He took the child's hand in his own and pressed it gratefully.
18. no
19. yes
20. below