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Also, we very much enjoy reading them. This episode is brought to you by Fluffy Bath Towels.

Tonight, we'll read the next part to The Princess and the Goblin, a children's fantasy novel by George McDonald.

If you'd like an easy way to listen to these continuing episodes in order, go to snoozecast.com slash series.

When we left off, Princess Irene follows her grandmother's instructions to follow the gossamer thread wherever it goes.

It took Irene directly to Curtis Cave, prison cell, deep within the mountain.

Let's get cozy. Close your eyes.

Relax your body into the softness of your bed.

Now, take a few deep breaths.

As Princess Irene continued to clear away the stones that kept Curtis imprisoned,

she became satisfied that what Curtis wanted done and what the thread wanted done were one and the same thing,

for she not only saw that by following the turns of the thread, she had been clearing from the face of the slab,

but that a little more than halfway down.

The thread went through the chink between the slab and the wall into the place where Curtis was confined,

so that she could not follow it any farther until the slab was out of her way.

As soon as she found this, she said in a right joyous whisper,

Now, Curtis, I think if you were to give a great push, the slab would tumble over.

Stand quite clear of it then, said Curtis, and let me know when you're ready.

Irene got off the heap and stood on one side of it.

...