Every one had given her something ; and it was found difficult to pack white mice , cake , a parcel of shells , apples , a rabbit kicking violently in a bag , a large cabbage for his refreshment , a bottle of minnows , and a mammoth bouquet . The farewell scene was moving , for the Princess sat upon the hall-table , surrounded by her subjects . She kissed her cousins , and held out her hand to the other boys , who shook it gently with various soft speeches , for they were taught not to be ashamed of showing their emotions . `` Come again soon , little dear , '' whispered Dan , fastening his best green-and-gold beetle in her hat . `` Do n't forget me , Princess , whatever you do , '' said the engaging Tommy , taking a last stroke of the pretty hair . `` I am coming to your house next week , and then I shall see you , Bess , '' added Nat , as if he found consolation in the thought . `` Do shake hands now , '' cried Jack , offering a smooth paw . `` Here are two nice new ones to remember us by , '' said Dick and Dolly , presenting fresh whistles , quite unconscious that seven old ones had been privately deposited in the kitchen-stove . `` My little precious ! I shall work you a book-mark right away , and you must keep it always , '' said Nan , with a warm embrace . But of all the farewells , poor Billy 's was the most pathetic , for the thought that she was really going became so unbearable that he cast himself down before her , hugging her little blue boots and blubbering despairingly , `` Do n't go away ! oh , do n't ! '' Goldilocks was so touched by this burst of feeling , that she leaned over and lifting the poor lad 's head , said , in her soft , little voice , `` Do n't cry , poor Billy ! I will tiss you and tum adain soon . '' This promise consoled Billy , and he fell back beaming with pride at the unusual honor conferred upon him . `` Me too ! me too ! '' clamored Dick and Dolly , feeling that their devotion deserved some return . The others looked as if they would like to join in the cry ; and something in the kind , merry faces about her moved the Princess to stretch out her arms and say , with reckless condescension , `` I will tiss evvybody ! '' Like a swarm of bees about a very sweet flower , the affectionate lads surrounded their pretty playmate , and kissed her till she looked like a little rose , not roughly , but so enthusiastically that nothing but the crown of her hat was visible for a moment .
Then her father rescued her , and she drove away still smiling and waving her hands , while the boys sat on the fence screaming like a flock of guinea-fowls , `` XXXXX back !
Come cry leaned lifting moving offering surrounded taking taught whispered