What does it take to change text from British to American english?

00-README.md

The patch below details the changes between JK Rowling's differences in the British and American editions.

The changes do not include changes in quotes:

• British edition uses single quotes for dialog
• while the American edition uses double quotes).

Since all quotes are ignored for this calculation, the diff might look incorrect at some places.

The emdash differences might be my fault - need to double check those

ickabog.patch

--- /home/nemo/projects/personal/ickabog-ebook/en-GB.noquote
+++ /home/nemo/projects/personal/ickabog-ebook/en-US.noquote
@@ -11,15 +11,15 @@
 five footmen and the boot boy.
 
 King Fred the Fearless came to the throne on a huge wave of popularity.
-He had lovely yellow curls, fine sweeping moustaches and looked
+He had lovely yellow curls, a fine sweeping moustache, and looked
 magnificent in the tight breeches, velvet doublets, and ruffled shirts
 that rich men wore at the time. Fred was said to be generous, smiled and
-waved whenever anyone caught sight of him and looked awfully handsome in
-the portraits that were distributed throughout the kingdom, to be hung
-in town halls. The people of Cornucopia were most happy with their new
-king, and many thought hed end up being even better at the job than his
-father, Richard the Righteous, whose teeth (though nobody had liked to
-mention it at the time) were rather crooked.
+waved whenever anyone caught sight of him, and looked awfully handsome
+in the portraits that were distributed throughout the kingdom, to be
+hung in town halls. The people of Cornucopia were most happy with their
+new king, and many thought hed end up being even better at the job than
+his father, Richard the Righteous, whose teeth (though nobody had liked
+to mention it at the time) were rather crooked.
 
 King Fred was secretly relieved to find out how easy it was to rule
 Cornucopia. In fact, the country seemed to run itself. Nearly everybody
@@ -65,15 +65,15 @@
 The cream, flour, and fruit produced by the farmers here was then given
 to the exceptional bakers of Chouxville, who made pastries.
 
-Think, if you please, of the most delicious cake or biscuit you have
-ever tasted. Well, let me tell you theyd have been downright ashamed to
+Think, if you please, of the most delicious cake or cookie you have ever
+tasted. Well, let me tell you theyd have been downright ashamed to
 serve that in Chouxville. Unless a grown mans eyes filled with tears of
 pleasure as he bit into a Chouxville pastry, it was deemed a failure and
 never made again. The bakery windows of Chouxville were piled high with
 delicacies such as Maidens Dreams, Fairies Cradles, and, most famous
 of all, Hopes-of-Heaven, which were so exquisitely, painfully delicious
 that they were saved for special occasions and everybody cried for joy
-as they ate them. King Porfirio, of neighbouring Pluritania, had already
+as they ate them. King Porfirio, of neighboring Pluritania, had already
 sent King Fred a letter, offering him the choice of any of his
 daughters hands in marriage in exchange for a lifetimes supply of
 Hopes-of-Heaven, but Spittleworth had advised Fred to laugh in the
@@ -86,25 +86,25 @@
 rivers, where jet-black cows and happy pink pigs were raised. These in
 turn served the twin cities of Kurdsburg and Baronstown, which were
 separated from each other by an arching stone bridge over the main river
-of Cornucopia, the Fluma, where brightly coloured barges bore goods from
+of Cornucopia, the Fluma, where brightly colored barges bore goods from
 one end of the kingdom to another.
 
 Kurdsburg was famous for its cheeses: huge white wheels, dense orange
-cannonballs, big crumbly blue-veined barrels and little baby cream
+cannonballs, big crumbly blue-veined barrels, and little baby cream
 cheeses smoother than velvet.
 
 Baronstown was celebrated for its smoked and honey-roasted hams, its
 sides of bacon, its spicy sausages, its melting beefsteaks, and its
 venison pies.
 
-The savoury fumes rising from the chimneys of the red-brick Baronstown
+The savory fumes rising from the chimneys of the red brick Baronstown
 stoves mingled with the odorous tang wafting from the doorways of the
 Kurdsburg cheesemongers, and for forty miles all around, it was
 impossible not to salivate breathing in the delicious air.
 
 A few hours north of Kurdsburg and Baronstown, you came upon acres of
 vineyards bearing grapes as large as eggs, each of them ripe and sweet
-and juicy. Journey onwards for the rest of the day and you reached the
+and juicy. Journey onward for the rest of the day and you reached the
 granite city of Jeroboam, famous for its wines. They said of the
 Jeroboam air that you could get tipsy simply walking its streets. The
 best vintages changed hands for thousands upon thousands of gold coins,
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@
 though the magically rich land of Cornucopia had exhausted itself by
 producing the best grass, the best fruit, and the best wheat in the
 world. Right at the northern tip came the place known as the Marshlands,
-and the only things that grew there were some tasteless, rubbery
+and the only thing that grew there were some tasteless, rubbery
 mushrooms and thin dry grass, only good enough to feed a few mangy
 sheep.
 
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@
 dish in the Marshlands was a greasy mutton broth, made of those sheep
 who were too old to sell.
 
-The rest of Cornucopia found the Marshlanders an odd bunch -- surly,
+The rest of Cornucopia found the Marshlanders an odd bunch --- surly,
 dirty, and ill-tempered. They had rough voices, which the other
 Cornucopians imitated, making them sound like hoarse old sheep. Jokes
 were made about their manners and their simplicity. As far as the rest
@@ -157,9 +157,9 @@
 warning.
 
 The Ickabog, they said, had extraordinary powers. It could imitate the
-human voice to lure travellers into its clutches. If you tried to kill
+human voice to lure travelers into its clutches. If you tried to kill
 it, it would mend magically, or else split into two Ickabogs; it could
-fly, spurt fire, shoot poison -- the Ickabogs powers were as great as
+fly, spurt fire, shoot poison --- the Ickabogs powers were as great as
 the imagination of the teller.
 
 Mind you dont leave the garden while Im working, parents all over
@@ -170,59 +170,58 @@
 about the Ickabog.
 
 Bert Beamish was one such little boy. When a family called the Dovetails
-came over for dinner one night, Mr Dovetail entertained everybody with
+came over for dinner one night, Mr. Dovetail entertained everybody with
 what he claimed was the latest news of the Ickabog. That night,
 five-year-old Bert woke, sobbing and terrified, from a dream in which
 the monsters huge white eyes were gleaming at him across a foggy marsh
 into which he was slowly sinking.
 
 There, there, whispered his mother, whod tiptoed into his room with a
-candle and now rocked him backwards and forwards in her lap. There is
-no Ickabog, Bertie. Its just a silly story.
-
-B-but Mr Dovetail said sheep have g-gone missing! hiccoughed Bert.
-
-So they have, said Mrs Beamish, but not because a monster took them.
+candle and now rocked him backward and forward in her lap. There is no
+Ickabog, Bertie. Its just a silly story.
+
+B-but Mr. Dovetail said sheep have g-gone missing! hiccupped Bert.
+
+So they have, said Mrs. Beamish, but not because a monster took them.
 Sheep are foolish creatures. They wander off and get lost in the marsh.
 
-B-but Mr Dovetail said p-people disappear, too!
+B-but Mr. Dovetail said p-people disappear, too!
 
 Only people whore silly enough to stray onto the marsh at night, said
-Mrs Beamish. Hush now, Bertie, there is no monster.
-
-But Mr D-Dovetail said p-people heard voices outside their windows and
+Mrs. Beamish. Hush now, Bertie, there is no monster.
+
+But Mr. D-Dovetail said p-people heard voices outside their windows and
 in the m-morning their chickens were gone!
 
-Mrs Beamish couldnt help but laugh.
+Mrs. Beamish couldnt help but laugh.
 
 The voices they heard are ordinary thieves, Bertie. Up in the
-Marshlands they pilfer from each other all the time. Its easier to
-blame the Ickabog than to admit their neighbours are stealing from
-them!
+Marshlands they pilfer from one another all the time. Its easier to
+blame the Ickabog than to admit their neighbors are stealing from them!
 
 Stealing? gasped Bert, sitting up in his mothers lap and gazing at
 her with solemn eyes. Stealings very naughty, isnt it, Mummy?
 
-Its very naughty indeed, said Mrs Beamish, lifting up Bert, placing
+Its very naughty indeed, said Mrs. Beamish, lifting up Bert, placing
 him tenderly back into his warm bed and tucking him in. But luckily, we
 dont live near those lawless Marshlanders.
 
-She picked up her candle and tiptoed back towards the bedroom door.
+She picked up her candle and tiptoed back toward the bedroom door.
 
 Night, night, she whispered from the doorway. Shed normally have
-added, Dont let the Ickabog bite, which was what parents across
+added dont let the Ickabog bite, which was what parents across
 Cornucopia said to their children at bedtime, but instead she said,
 Sleep tight.
 
 Bert fell asleep again, and saw no more monsters in his dreams.
 
-It so happened that Mr Dovetail and Mrs Beamish were great friends.
+It so happened that Mr. Dovetail and Mrs. Beamish were great friends.
 Theyd been in the same class at school, and had known each other all
-their lives. When Mr Dovetail heard that hed given Bert nightmares, he
+their lives. When Mr. Dovetail heard that hed given Bert nightmares, he
 felt guilty. As he was the best carpenter in all of Chouxville, he
 decided to carve the little boy an Ickabog. It had a wide, smiling mouth
 full of teeth and big, clawed feet, and at once it became Berts
-favourite toy.
+favorite toy.
 
 If Bert, or his parents, or the Dovetails next door, or anybody else in
 the whole kingdom of Cornucopia had been told that terrible troubles
@@ -250,11 +249,11 @@
 under the protection of the Royal Guard.
 
 Major Beamish, Berts father, was head of the Royal Guard. A handsome,
-cheerful man who rode a steel-grey horse, he accompanied King Fred, Lord
+cheerful man who rode a steel-gray horse, he accompanied King Fred, Lord
 Spittleworth, and Lord Flapoon on their hunting trips, which usually
 happened five times a week. The king liked Major Beamish, and he also
 liked Berts mother, because Bertha Beamish was the kings own private
-pastry chef, a high honour in that city of world-class bakers. Due to
+pastry chef, a high honor in that city of world-class bakers. Due to
 Berthas habit of bringing home fancy cakes that hadnt turned out
 absolutely perfectly, Bert was a plump little boy, and sometimes, I
 regret to say, the other children called him Butterball and made him
@@ -266,11 +265,11 @@
 than ready to fight anyone who called Bert Butterball.
 
 Daisys father, Dan Dovetail, was the kings carpenter, repairing and
-replacing the wheels and shafts on his carriages. As Mr Dovetail was so
+replacing the wheels and shafts on his carriages. As Mr. Dovetail was so
 clever at carving, he also made bits of furniture for the palace.
 
-Daisys mother, Dora Dovetail, was the Head Seamstress of the palace --
-another honoured job, because King Fred liked clothes, and kept a whole
+Daisys mother, Dora Dovetail, was the Head Seamstress of the palace ---
+another honored job, because King Fred liked clothes, and kept a whole
 team of tailors busy making him new costumes every month.
 
 It was the kings great fondness for finery that led to a nasty incident
@@ -286,7 +285,7 @@
 perhaps, to exchange one of his daughters for a lifetimes supply of
 Hopes-of-Heaven) and Fred decided that he must have a brand-new set of
 clothes made for the occasion: dull purple, overlaid with silver lace,
-with amethyst buttons, and grey fur at the cuffs.
+with amethyst buttons, and gray fur at the cuffs.
 
 Now, King Fred had heard something about the Head Seamstress not being
 quite well, but he hadnt paid much attention. He didnt trust anyone
@@ -342,63 +341,64 @@
 And yet, in spite of the two lords advice, King Fred couldnt be quite
 easy in his mind. Perhaps he was imagining it, but he thought Lady
 Eslanda looked particularly serious that day. The servants smiles
-seemed colder, and the maids curtsies a little less deep. As his court
+seemed colder and the maids curtsies, a little less deep. As his court
 feasted that evening with the King of Pluritania, Freds thoughts kept
 drifting back to the seamstress, dead on the floor, with the last
 amethyst button clutched in her hand.
 
 Before Fred went to bed that night, Herringbone knocked on his bedroom
 door. After bowing deeply, the Chief Advisor asked whether the king was
-intending to send flowers to Mrs Dovetails funeral.
-
-Oh -- oh, yes! said Fred, startled. Yes, send a big wreath, you know,
-saying how sorry I am and so forth. You can arrange that, cant you,
-Herringbone?
-
-Certainly, sire, said the Chief Advisor. And -- if I may ask -- are
+intending to send flowers to Mrs. Dovetails funeral.
+
+Oh --- oh, yes! said Fred, startled. Yes, send a big wreath, you
+know, saying how sorry I am and so forth. You can arrange that, cant
+you, Herringbone?
+
+Certainly, sire, said the Chief Advisor. And --- if I may ask --- are
 you planning to visit the seamstresss family, at all? They live, you
 know, just a short walk from the palace gates.
 
 Visit them? said the king pensively. Oh, no, Herringbone, I dont
-think Id like -- I mean to say, Im sure they arent expecting that.
+think Id like --- I mean to say, Im sure they arent expecting that.
 
 Herringbone and the king looked at each other for a few seconds, then
 the Chief Advisor bowed and left the room.
 
-Now, as King Fred was used to everyone telling him what a marvellous
-chap he was, he really didnt like the frown with which the Chief
-Advisor had left. He now began to feel cross rather than ashamed.
+Now, as King Fred was used to everyone telling him what a marvelous chap
+he was, he really didnt like the frown with which the Chief Advisor had
+left. He now began to feel cross rather than ashamed.
 
 Its a bally pity, he told his reflection, turning back to the mirror
-in which hed been combing his moustaches before bed, but after all,
-Im the king and she was a seamstress. If *I* died, I wouldnt have
-expected *her* to---
+in which hed been combing his moustache before bed, but after all, Im
+the king and she was a seamstress. If *I* died, I wouldnt have expected
+*her* to ---
 
 But then it occurred to him that if he died, hed expect the whole of
-Cornucopia to stop whatever they were doing, dress all in black and weep
-for a week, just as theyd done for his father, Richard the Righteous.
+Cornucopia to stop whatever they were doing, dress all in black, and
+weep for a week, just as theyd done for his father, Richard the
+Righteous.
 
 Well, anyway, he said impatiently to his reflection, life goes on.
 
 He put on his silk nightcap, climbed into his four-poster bed, blew out
-the candle and fell asleep.
+the candle, and fell asleep.
 :::
 
 The Quiet House
 ===============
 
 ::: {.entry-content}
-Mrs Dovetail was buried in the graveyard in the City-Within-The-City,
+Mrs. Dovetail was buried in the graveyard in the City-Within-The-City,
 where generations of royal servants lay. Daisy and her father stood
-hand-in-hand, looking down at the grave, for a long time. Bert kept
+hand-in-hand looking down at the grave for a long time. Bert kept
 looking back at Daisy as his tearful mother and grim-faced father led
 him slowly away. Bert wanted to say something to his best friend, but
 what had happened was too enormous and dreadful for words. Bert could
 hardly bear to imagine how hed feel if his mother had disappeared
 forever into the cold, hard earth.
 
-When all their friends had gone, Mr Dovetail moved the purple wreath
-sent by the king away from Mrs Dovetails headstone, and put in its
+When all their friends had gone, Mr. Dovetail moved the purple wreath
+sent by the king away from Mrs. Dovetails headstone, and put in its
 place the small bunch of snowdrops that Daisy had collected that
 morning. Then the two Dovetails walked slowly home to a house they knew
 would never be the same again.
@@ -411,15 +411,16 @@
 
 Who lives there? he asked Major Beamish.
 
-That -- thats the Dovetail house, Your Majesty, said Beamish.
+That --- thats the Dovetail house, Your Majesty, said Beamish.
 
 Dovetail, Dovetail, said the king, frowning. Ive heard that name,
 havent I?
 
-Er... yes, sire, said Major Beamish. Mr Dovetail is Your Majestys
-carpenter and Mrs Dovetail is -- was -- Your Majestys Head Seamstress.
-
-Ah, yes, said King Fred hurriedly, I -- I remember.
+Er . . . yes, sire, said Major Beamish. Mr. Dovetail is Your
+Majestys carpenter and Mrs. Dovetail is --- was --- Your Majestys Head
+Seamstress.
+
+Ah, yes, said King Fred hurriedly, I --- I remember.
 
 And spurring his milk-white charger into a canter, he rode swiftly past
 the black-draped windows of the Dovetail cottage, trying to think of
@@ -441,7 +442,7 @@
 occurs to me that its rather a big place for a small family. I think
 Ive heard there are only two of them, is that correct?
 
-Perfectly correct, Your Majesty. Just two, since the mother---
+Perfectly correct, Your Majesty. Just two, since the mother ---
 
 It doesnt really seem fair, Herringbone, King Fred said loudly, for
 that nice, spacious cottage to be given to only two people, when there
@@ -451,7 +452,8 @@
 Youd like me to move the Dovetails, Your Majesty?
 
 Yes, I think so, said King Fred, pretending to be very interested in
-the tip of his satin shoe.\
+the tip of his satin shoe.
+
 Very well, Your Majesty, said the Chief Advisor, with a deep bow. I
 shall ask them to swap with Roachs family, who Im sure would be glad
 of more space, and I shall put the Dovetails in the Roaches house.
@@ -461,17 +463,16 @@
 gates.
 
 Right on the edge of the City-Within-The-City, said the Chief Advisor.
-Very close to the graveyard, in f---
-
-That sounds suitable, interrupted King Fred, leaping to his feet. I
+Very close to the graveyard, in f ---\
+That sounds suitable, interrupted King Fred, leaping to his feet, I
 have no need of details. Just make it happen, Herringbone, theres a
 good chap.
 
-And so, Daisy and her father were instructed to swap houses with the
+And so Daisy and her father were instructed to swap houses with the
 family of Captain Roach, who, like Berts father, was a member of the
 kings Royal Guard. The next time King Fred rode out, the black drapes
-had vanished from the door and the Roach children -- four strapping
-brothers, the ones whod first christened Bert Beamish Butterball --
+had vanished from the door and the Roach children --- four strapping
+brothers, the ones whod first christened Bert Beamish Butterball ---
 came running into the front garden and jumped up and down, cheering and
 waving Cornucopian flags. King Fred beamed and waved back at the boys.
 Weeks passed, and King Fred forgot all about the Dovetails, and was
@@ -482,16 +483,16 @@
 ==============
 
 ::: {.entry-content}
-For some months after Mrs Dovetails shocking death, the kings servants
-were divided into two groups. The first group whispered that King Fred
-had been to blame for the way shed died. The second preferred to
-believe thered been some kind of mistake, and that the king couldnt
-have known how ill Mrs Dovetail was before giving the order that she
+For some months after Mrs. Dovetails shocking death, the kings
+servants were divided into two groups. The first group whispered that
+King Fred had been to blame for the way shed died. The second preferred
+to believe thered been some kind of mistake, and that the king couldnt
+have known how ill Mrs. Dovetail was, before giving the order that she
 must finish his suit.
 
-Mrs Beamish, the pastry chef, belonged to the second group. The king had
-always been very nice to Mrs Beamish, sometimes even inviting her into
-the dining room to congratulate her on particularly fine batches of
+Mrs. Beamish, the pastry chef, belonged to the second group. The king
+had always been very nice to Mrs. Beamish, sometimes even inviting her
+into the dining room to congratulate her on particularly fine batches of
 Dukes Delights or Folderol Fancies, so she was sure he was a kind,
 generous, and considerate man.
 
@@ -504,10 +505,10 @@
 Like his wife, Major Beamish wanted to think the best of the king,
 because he, his father, and his grandfather before him had all served
 loyally in the Royal Guard. So even though Major Beamish observed that
-King Fred seemed quite cheerful after Mrs Dovetails death, hunting as
+King Fred seemed quite cheerful after Mrs. Dovetails death, hunting as
 regularly as ever, and though Major Beamish knew that the Dovetails had
 been moved out of their old house to live down by the graveyard, he
-tried to believe that the king was sorry for what had happened to his
+tried to believe the king was sorry for what had happened to his
 seamstress, and that hed had no hand in moving her husband and
 daughter.
 
@@ -519,28 +520,28 @@
 Daisy as often as possible. There was much less room to play in her new
 garden, but they adjusted their games to fit.
 
-What Mr Dovetail thought about his new house, or the king, nobody knew.
+What Mr. Dovetail thought about his new house, or the king, nobody knew.
 He never discussed these matters with his fellow servants, but went
 quietly about his work, earning the money he needed to support his
 daughter and raising Daisy as best he could without her mother.
 
 Daisy, who liked helping her father in his carpenters workshop, had
-always been happiest in overalls. She was the kind of person who didnt
+always been happiest in coveralls. She was the kind of person who didnt
 mind getting dirty and she wasnt very interested in clothes. Yet in the
 days following the funeral, she wore a different dress every day to take
-a fresh posy to her mothers grave. While alive, Mrs Dovetail had always
-tried to make her daughter look, as she put it, like a little lady,
-and had made her many beautiful little gowns, sometimes from the offcuts
-of material that King Fred graciously let her keep after shed made his
-superb costumes.
+a fresh posy to her mothers grave. While alive, Mrs. Dovetail had
+always tried to make her daughter look, as she put it, like a little
+lady, and had made her many beautiful little gowns, sometimes from the
+offcuts of material that King Fred graciously let her keep, after shed
+made his superb costumes.
 
 And so a week passed, then a month, and then a year, until the dresses
 her mother had sewn her were all too small for Daisy, but she still kept
 them carefully in her wardrobe. Other people seemed to have forgotten
-what had happened to Daisy, or had got used to the idea of her mother
+what had happened to Daisy, or had gotten used to the idea of her mother
 being gone. Daisy pretended that she was used to it too. On the surface,
 her life returned to something like normal. She helped her father in the
-workshop, did her schoolwork and played with her best friend, Bert, but
+workshop, did her schoolwork, and played with her best friend, Bert, but
 they never spoke about her mother, and they never talked about the king.
 Every night, Daisy lay with her eyes fixed on the distant white
 headstone shining in the moonlight, until she fell asleep.
@@ -561,21 +562,21 @@
 them.
 
 The only time the children fell silent, ceased their games of hopscotch,
-and stopped pretending to fight the Ickabog, was when the lords
+and stopped pretending to fight the Ickabog was when the lords
 Spittleworth and Flapoon passed through the courtyard. These two lords
 werent fond of children at all. They thought the little brats made far
 too much noise in the late afternoon, which was precisely the time when
 Spittleworth and Flapoon liked to take a nap between hunting and dinner.
 
-One day, shortly after Bert and Daisys seventh birthdays, when everyone
-was playing as usual between the fountains and the peacocks, the
-daughter of the new Head Seamstress, who was wearing a beautiful dress
-of rose-pink brocade, said:
+One day, shortly after Berts and Daisys seventh birthdays, when
+everyone was playing as usual between the fountains and the peacocks,
+the daughter of the new Head Seamstress, who was wearing a beautiful
+dress of rose-pink brocade, said:
 
 Oh, I *do* hope the king waves at us today!
 
 Well, I dont, said Daisy, who couldnt help herself, and didnt
-realise how loudly shed spoken.
+realize how loudly shed spoken.
 
 The children all gasped and turned to look at her. Daisy felt hot and
 cold at once, seeing them all glaring.
@@ -583,14 +584,14 @@
 You shouldnt have said that, whispered Bert. As he was standing right
 next to Daisy, the other children were staring at him too.
 
-I dont care, said Daisy, colour rising in her face. Shed started
-now, so she might as well finish. If he hadnt worked my mother so
-hard, shed still be alive.
+I dont care, said Daisy, color rising in her face. Shed started now,
+so she might as well finish. If he hadnt worked my mother so hard,
+shed still be alive.
 
 Daisy felt as though shed been wanting to say that out loud for a very
 long time.
 
-There was another gasp from all the surrounding children, and a maids
+There was another gasp from all the surrounding children and a maids
 daughter actually squealed in terror.
 
 Hes the best king of Cornucopia weve ever had, said Bert, whod
@@ -598,35 +599,35 @@
 
 No, he isnt, said Daisy loudly. Hes selfish, vain, and cruel!
 
-Daisy! whispered Bert, horrified. Dont be -- dont be *silly!* 
+Daisy! whispered Bert, horrified. Dont be --- dont be *silly!* 
 
 It was the word silly that did it. Silly, when the new Head
 Seamstresss daughter smirked and whispered behind her hand to her
-friends, while pointing at Daisys overalls? Silly, when her father
+friends, while pointing at Daisys coveralls? Silly, when her father
 wiped away his tears in the evenings, thinking Daisy wasnt looking?
 Silly, when to talk to her mother she had to visit a cold white
 headstone?
 
-Daisy drew back her hand, and smacked Bert right around the face.
+Daisy drew back her hand, and smacked Bert right across the face.
 
 Then the oldest Roach brother, whose name was Roderick and who now lived
 in Daisys old bedroom, shouted, Dont let her get away with it,
 Butterball! and led all the boys in shouts of Fight! Fight! Fight!
 
 Terrified, Bert gave Daisys shoulder a half-hearted shove, and it
-seemed to Daisy that the only thing to do was to launch herself at Bert,
+seemed to Daisy that the only thing to do was launch herself at Bert,
 and everything became dust and elbows until suddenly the two children
 were pulled apart by Berts father, Major Beamish, whod come running
 out of the palace on hearing the commotion, to find out what was going
 on.
 
-Dreadful behaviour, muttered Lord Spittleworth, walking past the major
+Dreadful behavior, muttered Lord Spittleworth, walking past the major
 and the two sobbing, struggling children.
 
 But as he turned away, a broad smirk spread over Lord Spittleworths
 face. He was a man who knew how to turn a situation to good use, and he
-thought he might have found a way to banish children -- or some of them,
-anyway -- from the palace courtyard.
+thought he might have found a way to banish children --- or some of
+them, anyway --- from the palace courtyard.
 :::
 
 Lord Spittleworth Tells Tales
@@ -635,7 +636,7 @@
 ::: {.entry-content}
 That night, the two lords dined, as usual, with King Fred. After a
 sumptuous meal of Baronstown venison, accompanied by the finest Jeroboam
-wine, followed by a selection of Kurdsburg cheeses and some of Mrs
+wine, followed by a selection of Kurdsburg cheeses and some of Mrs.
 Beamishs featherlight Fairies Cradles, Lord Spittleworth decided the
 moment had come. He cleared his throat, then said:
 
@@ -645,7 +646,7 @@
 Fight? repeated King Fred, whod been talking to his tailor about the
 design for a new cloak, so had heard nothing. What fight?
 
-Oh dear... I thought Your Majesty knew, said Lord Spittleworth,
+Oh dear . . . I thought Your Majesty knew, said Lord Spittleworth,
 pretending to be startled. Perhaps Major Beamish could tell you all
 about it.
 
@@ -661,20 +662,21 @@
 
 Of course, some kings, Flapoon muttered, brushing crumbs off the front
 of his waistcoat, if theyd heard that a child spoke of the crown so
-disrespectfully...
+disrespectfully . . .
 
 Whats that? exclaimed Fred, the smile fading from his face. A child
-spoke of me... disrespectfully? Fred couldnt believe it. He was used
-to the children shrieking with excitement when he bowed to them from the
-balcony.
+spoke of me . . . disrespectfully?
+
+Fred couldnt believe it. He was used to the children shrieking with
+excitement when he bowed to them from the balcony.
 
 I believe so, Your Majesty, said Spittleworth, examining his
-fingernails, but, as I mentioned... it was Major Beamish who separated
-the children... he has all the details.
+fingernails, but, as I mentioned . . . it was Major Beamish who
+separated the children. . . . He has all the details.
 
 The candles sputtered a little in their silver sticks.
 
-Children... say all manner of things, in fun, said King Fred.
+Children . . . say all manner of things, in fun, said King Fred.
 Doubtless the child meant no harm.
 
 Sounded like bally treason to me, grunted Flapoon.
@@ -691,10 +693,10 @@
 Unlike the king and the two lords, Major Beamish didnt eat seven
 courses for dinner every night. Hed finished his supper hours ago, and
 was getting ready for bed when the summons from the king arrived. The
-major hastily swapped his pyjamas for his uniform, and dashed back to
-the palace, by which time King Fred, Lord Spittleworth, and Lord Flapoon
-had retired to the Yellow Parlour, where they were sitting on satin
-armchairs, drinking more Jeroboam wine and, in Flapoons case, eating a
+major hastily swapped his pajamas for his uniform and dashed back to the
+palace, by which time King Fred, Lord Spittleworth, and Lord Flapoon had
+retired to the Yellow Parlor, where they were sitting on satin
+armchairs, drinking more Jeroboam wine, and, in Flapoons case, eating a
 second plate of Fairies Cradles.
 
 Ah, Beamish, said King Fred, as the major made a deep bow. I hear
@@ -708,8 +710,8 @@
 Come, come, Beamish, said Flapoon. You should be proud that youve
 taught your son not to tolerate traitors.
 
-I... there was no question of treachery, said Major Beamish. Theyre
-only children, my lord.
+I . . . there was no question of treachery, said Major Beamish.
+Theyre only children, my lord.
 
 Do I understand that your son defended me, Beamish? said King Fred.
 
@@ -722,18 +724,18 @@
 sure that, if he lied, Lord Spittleworth and Lord Flapoon would tell the
 king that he, Major Beamish, was also disloyal and treacherous.
 
-I... yes, Your Majesty, its true that my son Bert defended you, said
-Major Beamish. However, allowance must surely be made for the little
-girl who said the... the unfortunate thing about Your Majesty. Shes
-passed through a great deal of trouble, Your Majesty, and even unhappy
-grown-ups may talk wildly at times.
+I . . . yes, Your Majesty, its true that my son, Bert, defended you,
+said Major Beamish. However, allowance must surely be made for the
+little girl who said the . . . the unfortunate thing about Your Majesty.
+Shes passed through a great deal of trouble, Your Majesty, and even
+unhappy grown-ups may talk wildly at times.
 
 What kind of trouble has the girl passed through? asked King Fred, who
 couldnt imagine any good reason for a subject to speak rudely of him.
 
-She... her name is Daisy Dovetail, Your Majesty, said Major Beamish,
-staring over King Freds head at a picture of his father, King Richard
-the Righteous. Her mother was the seamstress who---
+She . . . her name is Daisy Dovetail, Your Majesty, said Major
+Beamish, staring over King Freds head at a picture of his father, King
+Richard the Righteous. Her mother was the seamstress who ---
 
 Yes, yes, I remember, said King Fred loudly, cutting Major Beamish
 off. Very well, thats all, Beamish. Off you go.
@@ -765,12 +767,12 @@
 He decided he wanted to do something kind, and the first thing that
 occurred to him was to reward Beamishs son, whod defended him against
 that nasty little girl. So he took a small medallion that usually hung
-around the neck of his favourite hunting dog, asked a maid to thread
+around the neck of his favorite hunting dog, asked a maid to thread
 ribbon through it, and summoned the Beamishes to the palace. Bert, whom
 his mother had pulled out of class and hurriedly dressed in a blue
 velvet suit, was struck speechless in the presence of the king, which
 Fred enjoyed, and he spent several minutes speaking kindly to the boy,
-while Major and Mrs Beamish nearly burst with pride in their son.
+while Major and Mrs. Beamish nearly burst with pride in their son.
 Finally, Bert returned to school, with his little gold medal around his
 neck, and was made much of in the playground that afternoon by Roderick
 Roach, who was usually his biggest bully. Daisy said nothing at all and
@@ -789,7 +791,7 @@
 Naturally, these people were carefully screened by Freds advisors
 before they were allowed to see him. Fred never dealt with big problems.
 He saw people whose troubles could be solved with a few gold coins and a
-few kind words: a farmer with a broken plough, for instance, or an old
+few kind words: a farmer with a broken plow, for instance, or an old
 lady whose cat had died. Fred had been looking forward to the Day of
 Petition. It was a chance to dress up in his fanciest clothes, and he
 found it so touching to see how much he meant to the ordinary people of
@@ -800,8 +802,8 @@
 matching doublet, with gold and pearl buttons; a cloak edged with ermine
 and lined in scarlet; and white satin shoes with gold and pearl buckles.
 His valet was waiting with the golden tongs, ready to curl his
-moustaches, and a pageboy stood ready with a number of jewelled rings on
-a velvet cushion, waiting for Fred to make his selection.
+moustache, and a pageboy stood ready with a number of jeweled rings on a
+velvet cushion, waiting for Fred to make his selection.
 
 Take all that away, I dont want it, said King Fred crossly, waving at
 the outfit the dressers were holding up for his approval. The dressers
@@ -811,33 +813,33 @@
 it away! he snapped, when nobody moved. Fetch me something plain!
 Fetch me that suit I wore to my fathers funeral!
 
-Is... is Your Majesty quite well? enquired his valet, as the
+Is . . . is Your Majesty quite well? inquired his valet, as the
 astonished dressers bowed and hurried away with the white suit, and
 returned in double-quick time with a black one.
 
-Of course Im well, snapped Fred. But Im a man, not a frivolling
+Of course Im well, snapped Fred. But Im a man, not a frivoling
 popinjay.
 
 He shrugged on the black suit, which was the plainest he owned, though
 still rather splendid, having silver edging to the cuffs and collar, and
 onyx and diamond buttons. Then, to the astonishment of the valet, he
-permitted the man to curl only the very ends of his moustaches, before
+permitted the man to curl only the very ends of his moustache, before
 dismissing both him and the pageboy bearing the cushion full of rings.
 
-*There* , thought Fred, examining himself in the mirror. *How can I be
-called vain? Black* definitely *isnt one of my best colours.*
-
-So unusually speedy had Fred been in getting dressed, that Lord
+*There,* thought Fred, examining himself in the mirror. *How can I be
+called vain? Black* definitely *isnt one of my best colors.*
+
+So unusually speedy had Fred been getting dressed, that Lord
 Spittleworth, who was making one of Freds servants dig earwax out of
 his ears, and Lord Flapoon, who was guzzling a plate of Dukes Delights
-which hed ordered from the kitchens, were caught by surprise, and came
+which hed ordered from the kitchen, were caught by surprise, and came
 running out of their bedrooms, pulling on their waistcoats and hopping
 as they put on their boots.
 
 Hurry up, you lazy chaps! called King Fred, as the two lords chased
 him down the corridor. There are people waiting for my help!
 
-*And would a selfish king hurry to meet simple people who wanted favours
+*And would a selfish king hurry to meet simple people who wanted favors
 from him?* thought Fred. *No, he wouldnt!*
 
 Freds advisors were shocked to see him on time, and plainly dressed,
@@ -863,11 +865,11 @@
 Today, though, while he smiled and handed out gold coins and promises,
 the words of Daisy Dovetail kept echoing in his head. *Selfish, vain,
 and cruel.* He wanted to do something special to prove what a wonderful
-man he was -- to show that he was ready to sacrifice himself for others.
-Every king of Cornucopia had handed out gold coins and trifling favours
-on the Day of Petition: Fred wanted to do something so splendid that it
-would ring down the ages, and you didnt get into the history books by
-replacing a fruit farmers favourite hat.
+man he was --- to show that he was ready to sacrifice himself for
+others. Every king of Cornucopia had handed out gold coins and trifling
+favors on the Day of Petition: Fred wanted to do something so splendid
+that it would ring down the ages, and you didnt get into the history
+books by replacing a fruit farmers favorite hat.
 
 The two lords on either side of Fred were becoming bored. Theyd much
 rather have been left to loll in their bedrooms until lunchtime than sit
@@ -885,18 +887,18 @@
 ====================
 
 ::: {.entry-content}
-Your Majesty, said Herringbone, hurrying towards King Fred, whod just
+Your Majesty, said Herringbone, hurrying toward King Fred, whod just
 risen from the throne. There is a shepherd from the Marshlands here to
-petition you, sire. Hes a little late -- I could send him away, if Your
-Majesty wants his lunch?
+petition you, sire. Hes a little late --- I could send him away, if
+Your Majesty wants his lunch?
 
 A Marshlander! said Spittleworth, waving his scented handkerchief
 beneath his nose. Imagine, sire!
 
 Dashed impertinence, being late for the king, said Flapoon.
 
-No, said Fred, after a brief hesitation. No -- if the poor fellow has
-travelled this far, we shall see him. Send him in, Herringbone.
+No, said Fred, after a brief hesitation. No --- if the poor fellow
+has traveled this far, we shall see him. Send him in, Herringbone.
 
 The Chief Advisor was delighted at this further evidence of a new, kind,
 and considerate king, and hurried off to the double doors to tell the
@@ -904,8 +906,8 @@
 throne and Spittleworth and Flapoon sat back down on their chairs, their
 expressions sour.
 
-The old man who now tottered up the long red carpet towards the throne
-was very weather-beaten and rather dirty, with a straggly beard, and
+The old man who now tottered up the long red carpet toward the throne
+was very weather-beaten and rather dirty, with a straggly beard and
 ragged, patched clothes. He snatched off his cap as he approached the
 king, looking thoroughly frightened, and when he reached the place where
 people usually bowed or curtsied, he fell to his knees instead.
@@ -913,33 +915,33 @@
 Your Majesty! he wheezed.
 
 Your Maaaaaa-jesty, Spittleworth imitated him softly, making the old
-shepherd sound like a sheep.
-
-Flapoons chins trembled with silent laughter.
-
-Your Majesty, continued the shepherd, I have travelled for five long
+shepherd sound like a sheep. Flapoons chins trembled with silent
+laughter.
+
+Your Majesty, continued the shepherd, I have traveled for five long
 days for to see ye. It has been a hard journey. I has ridden in hayricks
-when I could, and walked when I couldnt, and my boots is all holes---
+when I could, and walked when I couldnt, and my boots is all holes ---
 
 Oh, get on with it, do, muttered Spittleworth, his long nose still
 buried in his handkerchief.
 
----but all the time I was travelling, I thought of old Patch, sire, and
-how yed help me if I could but reach the palace---
+--- but all the time I was traveling, I thought of old Patch, sire, and
+how yed help me if I could but reach the palace ---
 
 What is old Patch, good fellow? asked the king, his eyes upon the
 shepherds much-darned trousers.
 
-Tis my old dog, sire -- or was, I should perhaps say, replied the
+Tis my old dog, sire --- or was, I should perhaps say, replied the
 shepherd, his eyes filling with tears.
 
 Ah, said King Fred, fumbling with the money purse at his belt. Then,
-good shepherd, take these few gold coins and buy yourself a new---
+good shepherd, take these few gold coins and buy yourself a new ---
 
 Nay, sire, thank ye, but it baint a question of the gold, said the
 shepherd. I can find meself a puppy easy enough, though itll never
-match old Patch. The shepherd wiped his nose on his sleeve.
-Spittleworth shuddered.
+match old Patch.
+
+The shepherd wiped his nose on his sleeve. Spittleworth shuddered.
 
 Well, then, why have you come to me? asked King Fred, as kindly as he
 knew how.
@@ -948,7 +950,7 @@
 
 Ah, said King Fred, his eyes wandering to the golden clock on the
 mantelpiece. Well, wed love to hear the story, but we are rather
-wanting our lunch---
+wanting our lunch ---
 
 Twas the Ickabog that ate him, sire, said the shepherd.
 
@@ -973,11 +975,11 @@
 
 Well, sire, said the shepherd, wiping his nose on his sleeve again,
 twas twilight and right foggy and Patch and me was walking home round
-the edge of the marsh. Patch sees a marshteazle---
+the edge of the marsh. Patch sees a marshteazle ---
 
 Sees a what? asked King Fred.
 
-A marshteazle, sire. Thems bald rat-like things what lives in the
+A marshteazle, sire. Thems bald ratlike things what lives in the
 marsh. Not bad in pies if ye dont mind the tails.
 
 Flapoon looked queasy.
@@ -1019,15 +1021,15 @@
 
 Quite forgetting lunch, the king rushed upstairs to his bedroom,
 shouting for his valet to come and help him out of the dreary black suit
-and help him into his battledress, which hed never had the chance to
-wear before. The tunic was scarlet, with buttons of gold, a purple sash,
-and lots of medals that Fred was allowed to wear because he was king,
-and when Fred looked in the mirror and saw how well battledress became
-him, he wondered why he didnt wear it all the time. As his valet
-lowered the kings plumed helmet onto his golden curls, Fred imagined
-himself painted wearing it, seated on his favourite milk-white charger
-and spearing a serpentlike monster with his lance. King Fred the
-Fearless indeed! Why, he half hoped there really was an Ickabog, now.
+and into his battle dress, which hed never had the chance to wear
+before. The tunic was scarlet, with buttons of gold, a purple sash, and
+lots of medals Fred was allowed to wear because he was king, and when
+Fred looked in the mirror and saw how well battle dress became him, he
+wondered why he didnt wear it all the time. As his valet lowered the
+kings plumed helmet onto his golden curls, Fred imagined himself
+painted wearing it, seated on his favorite milk-white charger and
+spearing a serpentlike monster with his lance. King Fred the Fearless
+indeed! Why, he half hoped there really was an Ickabog, now.
 
 Meanwhile, the Chief Advisor was sending word throughout the
 City-Within-The-City that the king was setting off on a tour of the
@@ -1037,48 +1039,47 @@
 
 Unfortunately, the footman called Cankerby had overheard two advisors
 muttering together about the kings strange scheme. Cankerby immediately
-told the between maid, who spread the word all over the kitchens, where
-a sausage seller from Baronstown was gossiping with the cook. In short,
-by the time the kings party was ready to leave, word had spread all
-through the City-Within-The-City that the king was riding north to hunt
-the Ickabog, and news was also beginning to leak out into wider
+told the betweenmaid, who spread the word all over the kitchens, where a
+sausage seller from Baronstown was gossiping with the cook. In short, by
+the time the kings party was ready to leave, word had spread all
+throughout the City-Within-The-City that the king was riding north to
+hunt the Ickabog, and news was also beginning to leak out into wider
 Chouxville.
 
-Is it a joke? the capitals inhabitants asked each other, as they
+Is it a joke? the capitals inhabitants asked one another, as they
 thronged out onto the pavements, ready to cheer the king. What does it
 mean?
 
 Some shrugged and laughed and said that the king was merely having fun.
 Others shook their heads and muttered that there must be more to it than
 that. No king would ride out, armed, to the north of the country without
-good reason. What, the worried folk asked each other, does the king
+good reason. What, the worried folk asked one another, does the king
 know, that we do not?
 
 Lady Eslanda joined the other ladies of the court on a balcony, to watch
-the soldiers assembling.
-
-I shall now tell you a secret, which nobody else knew. Lady Eslanda
-would never have married the king, even if hed asked her. You see, she
-was secretly in love with a man called Captain Goodfellow, who was now
-chatting and laughing with his good friend Major Beamish in the
-courtyard below. Lady Eslanda, who was very shy, had never been able to
-bring herself to talk to Captain Goodfellow, who had no idea that the
-most beautiful woman at court was in love with him. Both Goodfellows
-parents, who were dead, had been cheesemakers from Kurdsburg. Though
-Goodfellow was both clever and brave, these were the days when no
-cheesemakers son would expect to marry a highborn lady.
+the soldiers assembling. I shall now tell you a secret, which nobody
+else knew. Lady Eslanda would never have married the king, even if hed
+asked her. You see, she was secretly in love with a man called Captain
+Goodfellow, who was now chatting and laughing with his good friend Major
+Beamish in the courtyard below. Lady Eslanda, who was very shy, had
+never been able to bring herself to talk to Captain Goodfellow, who had
+no idea that the most beautiful woman at court was in love with him.
+Both Goodfellows parents, who were dead, had been cheesemakers from
+Kurdsburg. Though Goodfellow was both clever and brave, these were the
+days when no cheesemakers son would expect to marry a highborn lady.
 
 Meanwhile, all the servants children were being let out of school early
-to watch the battle party set off. Mrs Beamish the pastry chef naturally
-rushed to collect Bert, so that hed have a good spot to watch his
-father passing by.
+to watch the battle party set off. Mrs. Beamish the pastry chef
+naturally rushed to collect Bert, so that hed have a good spot to watch
+his father passing by.
 
 When the palace gates opened at last, and the cavalcade rode out, Bert
-and Mrs Beamish cheered at the top of their lungs. Nobody had seen
-battledress for a very long time. How exciting it was, and how fine! The
-sunlight played upon the golden buttons, silver swords, and the gleaming
-trumpets of the buglers, and up on the palace balcony, the handkerchiefs
-of the ladies of the court fluttered in farewell, like doves.
+and Mrs. Beamish cheered at the top of their lungs. Nobody had seen
+battle dress for a very long time. How exciting it was, and how fine!
+The sunlight played upon the golden buttons, silver swords, and the
+gleaming trumpets of the buglers, and up on the palace balcony, the
+handkerchiefs of the ladies of the court fluttered in farewell, like
+doves.
 
 At the front of the procession rode King Fred, on his milk-white
 charger, holding scarlet reins and waving at the crowds. Right behind
@@ -1087,9 +1088,9 @@
 his elephantine chestnut.
 
 Behind the king and the two lords trotted the Royal Guard, all of them
-on dapple-grey horses, except for Major Beamish, who rode his steel-grey
-stallion. It made Mrs Beamishs heart flutter to see her husband looking
-so handsome.
+on dapple-gray horses, except for Major Beamish, who rode his steel-gray
+stallion. It made Mrs. Beamishs heart flutter to see her husband
+looking so handsome.
 
 Good luck, Daddy! shouted Bert, and Major Beamish (though he really
 shouldnt have done) waved at his son.
@@ -1097,19 +1098,19 @@
 The procession trotted down the hill, smiling at the cheering crowds of
 the City-Within-The-City, until it reached the gates in the wall onto
 wider Chouxville. There, hidden by the crowds, was the Dovetails
-cottage. Mr Dovetail and Daisy had come out into their garden, and they
+cottage. Mr. Dovetail and Daisy had come out into their garden, and they
 were just able to see the plumes in the helmets of the Royal Guard
 riding past.
 
 Daisy didnt feel much interest in the soldiers. She and Bert still
 werent talking to each other. In fact, hed spent morning break with
-Roderick Roach, who often jeered at Daisy for wearing overalls instead
+Roderick Roach, who often jeered at Daisy for wearing coveralls instead
 of a dress, so the cheering and the sound of the horses didnt raise her
 spirits at all.
 
 There isnt really an Ickabog, Daddy, is there? she asked.
 
-No, Daisy, sighed Mr Dovetail, turning back to his workshop, theres
+No, Daisy, sighed Mr. Dovetail, turning back to his workshop, theres
 no Ickabog, but if the king wants to believe in it, let him. He cant do
 much harm up in the Marshlands.
 
@@ -1125,7 +1126,7 @@
 and into the countryside. Word of the kings sudden expedition to find
 the Ickabog had now spread to the farmers who worked the rolling green
 fields, and they ran with their families to cheer the king, the two
-lords and the Royal Guard as they passed.
+lords, and the Royal Guard as they passed.
 
 Not having had any lunch, the king decided to stop in Kurdsburg to eat a
 late dinner.
@@ -1159,10 +1160,10 @@
 with a goose-down mattress, while Spittleworth and Flapoon had to share
 a tiny attic room usually occupied by two maids. By now, Spittleworths
 bottom was extremely painful, and he was furious that hed been forced
-to ride forty miles in a circle, purely to keep the sausagemakers happy.
-Flapoon, whod eaten far too much cheese in Kurdsburg and had consumed
-three beefsteaks in Baronstown, was awake all night, groaning with
-indigestion.
+to ride forty miles in a circle, purely to keep the sausage makers
+happy. Flapoon, whod eaten far too much cheese in Kurdsburg and had
+consumed three beefsteaks in Baronstown, was awake all night groaning
+with indigestion.
 
 Next day, the king and his men set off again, and this time they headed
 north, soon passing through vineyards from which eager grape pickers
@@ -1174,7 +1175,7 @@
 Upon arrival at Jeroboam that evening, they were greeted by trumpets and
 the entire city singing the national anthem. Fred feasted on sparkling
 wine and truffles that night, before retiring to a silken four-poster
-bed with a swansdown mattress. But Spittleworth and Flapoon were forced
+bed with a swans-down mattress. But Spittleworth and Flapoon were forced
 to share a room over the inns kitchen with a pair of soldiers. Drunken
 Jeroboam dwellers were reeling about in the street, celebrating the
 presence of the king in their city. Spittleworth spent much of the night
@@ -1204,7 +1205,7 @@
 At last, the royal party came across a few people, and how the
 Marshlanders stared! They fell to their knees like the shepherd in the
 Throne Room, and quite forgot to cheer or clap, but gaped as though
-theyd never seen anything like the king and the Royal Guard before --
+theyd never seen anything like the king and the Royal Guard before ---
 which, indeed, they hadnt, because while King Fred had visited all the
 major cities of Cornucopia after his coronation, nobody had thought it
 worth his while to visit the faraway Marshlands.
@@ -1227,7 +1228,7 @@
 Your Majesty! called Major Beamish. I suggest we set up camp now and
 explore the marsh in the morning! As Your Majesty knows, the marsh can
 be treacherous! Fogs come suddenly here. Wed do best to approach it by
-daylight!
+daylight.
 
 Nonsense! said Fred, who was bouncing up and down in his saddle like
 an excited schoolboy. We cant stop now, when its in sight, Beamish!
@@ -1254,7 +1255,7 @@
 We cant expect to find even an imaginary monster in the dark, pointed
 out Spittleworth.
 
-True, true, repeated King Fred regretfully. Let us -- good gracious,
+True, true, repeated King Fred regretfully. Let us --- good gracious,
 how foggy it has become!
 
 And sure enough, as theyd stood looking out across the marsh, a thick
@@ -1271,7 +1272,7 @@
 hands in front of their faces. The mist smelled of the foul marsh, of
 brackish water and ooze. The soft ground seemed to shift beneath their
 feet as many of the men turned unwisely on the spot. Trying to catch
-sight of each other, they lost all sense of direction. Each man felt
+sight of one another, they lost all sense of direction. Each man felt
 adrift in a blinding white sea, and Major Beamish was one of the few to
 keep his head.
 
@@ -1286,9 +1287,9 @@
 Help! he cried, as the freezing marsh water flooded over the tops of
 his shining boots. Help! Beamish, where are you? Im sinking!
 
-There was an immediate clamour of panicked voices and jangling armour.
-The guards all hurried off in every direction, trying to find the king,
-bumping into each other and slipping over, but the floundering kings
+There was an immediate clamor of panicked voices and jangling armor. The
+guards all hurried off in every direction, trying to find the king,
+bumping into one another and slipping over, but the floundering kings
 voice drowned out every other.
 
 Ive lost my boots! Why doesnt somebody help me? *Where are you all?*
@@ -1304,12 +1305,12 @@
 At least if the fool gets swallowed by the bog, well be able to go
 home, Spittleworth muttered to Flapoon.
 
-The confusion deepened. Several of the Royal Guard had now got stuck in
+The confusion deepened. Several of the Royal Guard had become stuck in
 the bog as they tried to find the king. The air was full of squelches,
 clanks, and shouts. Major Beamish was bellowing in a vain attempt to
 restore some kind of order, and the kings voice seemed to be receding
-into the blind night, becoming ever fainter, as though he was blundering
-away from them.
+into the blind night, becoming ever fainter, as though he were
+blundering away from them.
 
 And then, out of the heart of the darkness, came an awful terror-struck
 shriek.
@@ -1325,29 +1326,29 @@
 Spittleworth could answer, the fog around the two lords thinned as
 quickly as it had arrived, so that they stood together in a little
 clearing, able to see each other, but still surrounded on all sides by
-high walls of thick white mist. The voices of the king, of Beamish and
+high walls of thick white mist. The voices of the king, of Beamish, and
 of the other soldiers were becoming fainter and fainter.
 
 Dont move yet, Spittleworth cautioned Flapoon. Once the fog thins a
 little bit more, well be able to find the horses and we can retreat to
-a safe---
+a safe ---
 
 At that precise moment, a slimy black figure burst out of the wall of
 fog and launched itself at the two lords. Flapoon let out a high-pitched
-scream and Spittleworth lashed out at the creature, missing only because
-it flopped to the ground, weeping. It was then that Spittleworth
-realised the gibbering, panting slime monster was, in fact, King Fred
+scream and Spittleworth lashed out at the creature, missing it only
+because it flopped to the ground, weeping. It was then that Spittleworth
+realized the gibbering, panting slime monster was, in fact, King Fred
 the Fearless.
 
 Thank heavens weve found you, Your Majesty, weve been searching
 everywhere! cried Spittleworth.
 
-Ick -- Ick -- Ick--- whimpered the king.
-
-Hes got hiccoughs, said Flapoon. Give him a fright.
-
-Ick -- Ick -- Ickabog! moaned Fred. I s-s-saw it! A gigantic monster
--- it nearly caught me!
+Ick-Ick-Ick --- whimpered the king.
+
+Hes got hiccups, said Flapoon. Gave him a fright.
+
+Ick-Ick-Ickabog! moaned Fred. I s-s-saw it! A gigantic monster --- it
+nearly caught me!
 
 I beg Your Majestys pardon? asked Spittleworth.
 
@@ -1359,9 +1360,9 @@
 instead aiming a consoling pat at the top of Freds head, which was the
 cleanest part of him.
 
-Er -- there, there, Your Majesty. Youve had a most distressing
+Er --- there, there, Your Majesty. Youve had a most distressing
 experience, falling in the marsh. As we were saying earlier, the
-boulders do indeed assume monstrous forms in this thick fog---
+boulders do indeed assume monstrous forms in this thick fog ---
 
 Dash it, Spittleworth, I know what I saw! shouted the king, staggering
 to his feet unaided. Tall as two horses, it was, and with eyes like
@@ -1371,7 +1372,7 @@
 
 Just then a fourth man made his way into their little clearing in the
 fog: Captain Roach, father of Roderick, who was Major Beamishs
-second-in-command -- a big, burly man with jet-black moustaches. What
+second-in-command --- a big, burly man with a jet-black moustache. What
 Captain Roach was really like, we are about to find out. All you need to
 know now is that the king was very glad to see him, because he was the
 largest member of the Royal Guard.
@@ -1382,10 +1383,11 @@
 fog and mud. Im glad to know Your Majesty is safe, at any rate. You
 gentlemen stay here, and Ill round up the troops.
 
-Roach made to leave, but King Fred yelped. No, you stay here with me,
-Roach, in case the monster comes this way! Youve still got a rifle,
-havent you? Excellent -- I lost my sword and my boots, you see. My very
-best dress sword, with the jewelled hilt!
+Roach made to leave, but King Fred yelped:
+
+No, you stay here with me, Roach, in case the monster comes this way!
+Youve still got a rifle, havent you? Excellent --- I lost my sword and
+my boots, you see. My very best dress sword, with the jeweled hilt!
 
 Though he felt much safer with Captain Roach beside him, the trembling
 king was otherwise as cold and scared as he could ever remember being.
@@ -1399,12 +1401,12 @@
 Theyre over there somewhere, he added, waving his arm at the
 encircling fog.
 
-Would -- would it not be better to wait until the fog has cleared, Your
-Majesty? asked Spittleworth nervously.
+Would --- would it not be better to wait until the fog has cleared,
+Your Majesty? asked Spittleworth nervously.
 
 I want my sword! snapped King Fred. It was my grandfathers and its
 very valuable! Go and find it, both of you. I shall wait here with
-Captain Roach. And dont come back empty-handed.
+Captain Roach. And dont come back empty-handed!
 :::
 
 The Accident
@@ -1431,8 +1433,8 @@
 Wed better hope it isnt, or well be here all night, said
 Spittleworth. Oh, curse this fog!
 
-They struggled onwards. The mist would thin for a few steps, then close
-again. Boulders loomed suddenly out of nowhere like ghostly elephants,
+They struggled onward. The mist would thin for a few steps, then close
+again. Boulders loomed suddenly out of nowhere like ghostly elephants
 and the rustling reeds sounded just like snakes. Though Spittleworth and
 Flapoon knew perfectly well that there was no such thing as an Ickabog,
 their insides didnt seem quite so sure.
@@ -1485,8 +1487,8 @@
 Whats going on? shouted several voices out of the fog. Who fired?
 
 Neither Spittleworth nor Flapoon answered. Spittleworth waded as quickly
-as he could towards Major Beamish. A swift examination was enough: the
-major was stone-dead, shot through the heart by Flapoon in the dark.
+as he could toward Major Beamish. A swift examination was enough: the
+major was stone dead, shot through the heart by Flapoon in the dark.
 
 My God, my God, what shall we do? bleated Flapoon, arriving at
 Spittleworths side.
@@ -1495,7 +1497,7 @@
 
 He was thinking harder and faster than hed thought in the whole of his
 crafty, conniving life. His eyes moved slowly from Flapoon and the gun,
-to the shepherds trapped dog, to the kings boots and jewelled sword,
+to the shepherds trapped dog, to the kings boots and jeweled sword,
 which he now noticed, half-buried in the bog just a few feet away from
 the giant boulder.
 
@@ -1507,11 +1509,11 @@
 before he could explain his plan, another large figure emerged from the
 fog: Captain Roach.
 
-The king sent me, panted the captain. Hes terrified. What happ---
+The king sent me, panted the captain. Hes terrified. What happ ---?
 
 Then Roach saw Major Beamish lying dead on the ground.
 
-Spittleworth realised immediately that Roach must be let in on the plan
+Spittleworth realized immediately that Roach must be let in on the plan
 and that, in fact, hed be very useful.
 
 Say nothing, Roach, said Spittleworth, while I tell you what has
@@ -1520,24 +1522,24 @@
 The Ickabog has killed our brave Major Beamish. In view of this tragic
 death, we shall need a new major, and of course, that will be you,
 Roach, for youre second-in-command. I shall recommend a large pay rise
-for you, because you were so valiant -- listen closely, Roach -- so
+for you, because you were so valiant --- listen closely, Roach --- so
 *very* valiant in chasing after the dreadful Ickabog, as it ran away
 into the fog. You see, the Ickabog was devouring the poor majors body
 when Lord Flapoon and I came upon it. Frightened by Lord Flapoons
 blunderbuss, which he sensibly discharged into the air, the monster
 dropped Beamishs body and fled. You bravely gave chase, trying to
 recover the kings sword, which was half-buried in the monsters thick
-hide -- but you werent able to recover it, Roach. So sad for the poor
+hide --- but you werent able to recover it, Roach. So sad for the poor
 king. I believe the priceless sword was his grandfathers, but I suppose
 its now lost forever in the Ickabogs lair.
 
 So saying, Spittleworth pressed the sword into Roachs large hands. The
-newly promoted major looked down at its jewelled hilt, and a cruel and
+newly promoted major looked down at its jeweled hilt, and a cruel and
 crafty smile to match Spittleworths own spread over his face.
 
 Yes, a great pity that I wasnt able to recover the sword, my lord, he
 said, sliding it out of sight beneath his tunic. Now, lets wrap up the
-poor Majors body, because it would be dreadful for the other men to see
+poor majors body, because it would be dreadful for the other men to see
 the marks of the monsters fangs upon him.
 
 How sensitive of you, Major Roach, said Lord Spittleworth, and the two
@@ -1550,8 +1552,8 @@
 of us saw it together and will, of course, have received identical
 impressions.
 
-Very true, said Lord Spittleworth. Well, according to the king, the
-beast is as tall as two horses, with eyes like lamps.
+Very true, Roach, said Lord Spittleworth. Well, according to the
+king, the beast is as tall as two horses, with eyes like lamps.
 
 In fact, said Flapoon, pointing, it looks a lot like this large
 boulder, with a dogs eyes gleaming at the base.
@@ -1566,11 +1568,11 @@
 
 ::: {.entry-content}
 When the fog cleared at last, it revealed a very different party of men
-to those whod arrived at the edge of the marsh an hour earlier.
+than those whod arrived at the edge of the marsh an hour earlier.
 
 Quite apart from their shock at the sudden death of Major Beamish, a few
 of the Royal Guard were confused by the explanation theyd been given.
-Here were the two lords, the king and the hastily promoted Major Roach,
+Here were the two lords, the king, and the hastily promoted Major Roach,
 all swearing that theyd come face-to-face with a monster that all but
 the most foolish had dismissed for years as a fairy tale. Could it
 really be true that beneath the tightly wrapped cloaks, Beamishs body
@@ -1615,7 +1617,7 @@
 the city was silent. Townsfolk pressing their faces to their windows, or
 peeking around their doors, were shocked to see the king so dirty and
 miserable, but not nearly as shocked as they were to see a body wrapped
-in cloaks, tied to Major Beamishs steel-grey horse.
+in cloaks, tied to Major Beamishs steel-gray horse.
 
 When they reached the inn, Spittleworth took the landlord aside.
 
@@ -1630,8 +1632,8 @@
 low, serious voice. The Ickabog is real and has savagely killed one of
 our men. You understand, Im sure, why this must not be widely
 broadcast. There would be instant panic. The king is returning with all
-speed to the palace, where he and his advisors -- myself, of course,
-included -- will begin work at once on a set of measures to secure our
+speed to the palace, where he and his advisors --- myself, of course,
+included --- will begin work at once on a set of measures to secure our
 countrys safety.
 
 The Ickabog? Real? said the landlord, in astonishment and fear.
@@ -1642,7 +1644,7 @@
 In fact, widespread alarm was precisely what Spittleworth wanted,
 because it was essential for the next phase of his plan. Just as hed
 expected, the landlord waited only until his guests had gone to bed,
-then rushed to tell his wife, who ran to tell the neighbours, and by the
+then rushed to tell his wife, who ran to tell the neighbors, and by the
 time the kings party set off for Kurdsburg the following morning, they
 left behind them a city where panic was fermenting as busily as the
 wine.
@@ -1651,18 +1653,18 @@
 city not to make a fuss of the king either, so it too was dark and
 silent when the royal party entered its streets. The faces at the
 windows were already scared. It so happened that a merchant from
-Jeroboam, with an especially fast horse, had carried the rumour about
-the Ickabog to Kurdsburg an hour previously.
+Jeroboam, with an especially fast horse, had carried the rumor about the
+Ickabog to Kurdsburg an hour previously.
 
 Once again, Spittleworth requested the use of a cellar for Major
-Beamishs body, and once again confided to the landlord that the Ickabog
-had killed one of the kings men. Having seen Beamishs body safely
-locked up, Spittleworth went upstairs to bed.
+Beamishs body, and once again, confided to the landlord that the
+Ickabog had killed one of the kings men. Having seen Beamishs body
+safely locked up, Spittleworth went upstairs to bed.
 
 He was just rubbing ointment into the blisters on his bottom when he
 received an urgent summons to go and see the king. Smirking,
 Spittleworth pulled on his pantaloons, winked at Flapoon, who was
-enjoying a cheese and pickle sandwich, picked up his candle and
+enjoying a cheese and pickle sandwich, picked up his candle, and
 proceeded along the corridor to King Freds room.
 
 The king was huddled in bed wearing his silk nightcap, and as soon as
@@ -1686,12 +1688,12 @@
 But who attacked it? said Fred.
 
 Why, you did, Your Majesty, said Spittleworth. Roach tells me your
-sword was embedded in the monsters neck when it ran--- Im sorry, Your
+sword was embedded in the monsters neck when it ran --- Im sorry. Your
 Majesty, did you speak?
 
 The king had, in fact, let out a sort of hum, but after a second or two,
-he shook his head. Hed considered correcting Spittleworth -- he was
-sure hed told the story differently -- but his horrible experience in
+he shook his head. Hed considered correcting Spittleworth --- he was
+sure hed told the story differently --- but his horrible experience in
 the fog sounded much better the way Spittleworth told it now: that hed
 stood his ground and fought the Ickabog, rather than simply dropping his
 sword and running away.
@@ -1714,42 +1716,42 @@
 
 ::: {.entry-content}
 By the time the king set out for Chouxville the following morning,
-rumours that the Ickabog had killed a man had not only travelled over
-the bridge into Baronstown, theyd even trickled down to the capital,
+rumors that the Ickabog had killed a man had not only traveled over the
+bridge into Baronstown, theyd even trickled down to the capital,
 courtesy of a cluster of cheesemongers, whod set out before dawn.
 
-However, Chouxville was not only the furthest away from the northern
+However, Chouxville was not only the farthest away from the northern
 marsh, it also held itself to be far better informed and educated than
 the other Cornucopian towns, so when the wave of panic reached the
 capital, it met an upswell of disbelief.
 
-The citys taverns and markets rang with excited arguments. Sceptics
+The citys taverns and markets rang with excited arguments. Skeptics
 laughed at the preposterous idea of the Ickabog existing, while others
 said that people whod never been to the Marshlands ought not to pretend
 to be experts.
 
-The Ickabog rumours had gained a lot of colour as they travelled south.
+The Ickabog rumors had gained a lot of color as they traveled south.
 Some people said that the Ickabog had killed three men, others that it
 had merely torn off somebodys nose.
 
 In the City-Within-The-City, however, discussion was seasoned with a
-little pinch of anxiety. The wives, children and friends of the Royal
-Guard were worried about the soldiers, but they reassured each other
+little pinch of anxiety. The wives, children, and friends of the Royal
+Guard were worried about the soldiers, but they reassured one another
 that if any of the men had been killed, their families would have been
-informed by messenger. This was the comfort that Mrs Beamish gave Bert,
+informed by messenger. This was the comfort that Mrs. Beamish gave Bert,
 when he came looking for her in the palace kitchens, having been scared
-by the rumours circulating among the schoolchildren.
+by the rumors circulating among the schoolchildren.
 
 The king would have told us if anything had happened to Daddy, she
 told Bert. Here, now, Ive got you a little treat.
 
-Mrs Beamish had prepared Hopes-of-Heaven for the kings return, and she
+Mrs. Beamish had prepared Hopes-of-Heaven for the kings return, and she
 now gave one that wasnt quite symmetrical to Bert. He gasped (because
 he only ever had Hopes-of-Heaven on his birthday), and bit into the
 little cake. At once, his eyes filled with happy tears, as paradise
 wafted up through the roof of his mouth and melted all his cares away.
 He thought excitedly of his father coming home in his smart uniform, and
-how he, Bert, would be centre of attention at school tomorrow, because
+how he, Bert, would be center of attention at school tomorrow, because
 hed know exactly what had happened to the kings men in the faraway
 Marshlands.
 
@@ -1761,14 +1763,14 @@
 
 The people of Chouxville saw the drawn, miserable faces of the returning
 men, and watched in silence as the party approached. Then they spotted
-the wrapped-up body slung over the steel-grey horse, and gasps spread
+the wrapped-up body slung over the steel-gray horse, and gasps spread
 through the crowd like flames. Up through the narrow cobbled streets of
 Chouxville the kings party moved, and men removed their hats and women
 curtsied, and they hardly knew whether they were paying their respects
 to the king or the dead man.
 
-Daisy Dovetail was one of the first to realise who was missing. Peering
-between the legs of grown-ups, she recognised Major Beamishs horse.
+Daisy Dovetail was one of the first to realize who was missing. Peering
+between the legs of grown-ups, she recognized Major Beamishs horse.
 Instantly forgetting that she and Bert hadnt talked to each other since
 their fight of the previous week, Daisy pulled free of her fathers hand
 and began to run, forcing her way through the crowds, her brown pigtails
@@ -1776,16 +1778,16 @@
 had to warn him. But the people were so tightly packed that, fast as
 Daisy moved, she couldnt keep pace with the horses.
 
-Bert and Mrs Beamish, who were standing outside their cottage in the
+Bert and Mrs. Beamish, who were standing outside their cottage in the
 shadow of the palace walls, knew there was something wrong because of
-the crowds gasps. Although Mrs Beamish felt somewhat anxious, she was
+the crowds gasps. Although Mrs. Beamish felt somewhat anxious, she was
 still sure that she was about to see her handsome husband, because the
 king would have sent word if hed been hurt.
 
-So when the procession rounded the corner, Mrs Beamishs eyes slid from
-face to face, expecting to see the majors. And when she realised that
-there were no more faces left, the colour drained slowly from her own.
-Then her gaze fell upon the body strapped to Major Beamishs steel-grey
+So when the procession rounded the corner, Mrs. Beamishs eyes slid from
+face to face, expecting to see the majors. And when she realized that
+there were no more faces left, the color drained slowly from her own.
+Then her gaze fell upon the body strapped to Major Beamishs steel-gray
 horse, and, still holding Berts hand, she fainted clean away.
 :::
 
@@ -1795,9 +1797,9 @@
 ::: {.entry-content}
 Spittleworth noticed a commotion beside the palace walls and strained to
 see what was going on. When he spotted the woman on the ground, and
-heard the cries of shock and pity, he suddenly realised that hed left a
+heard the cries of shock and pity, he suddenly realized that hed left a
 loose end that might yet trip him up: the widow! As he rode past the
-little knot of people in the crowd who were fanning Mrs Beamishs face,
+little knot of people in the crowd who were fanning Mrs. Beamishs face,
 Spittleworth knew that his longed-for bath must be postponed, and his
 crafty brain began to race again.
 
@@ -1809,24 +1811,24 @@
 about his death?
 
 It never occurred to me, my lord, said Roach truthfully. Hed been too
-busy thinking about the jewelled sword all the way home: how best to
-sell it, and whether it would be better to break it up into pieces so
-that nobody recognised it.
+busy thinking about the jeweled sword all the way home: how best to sell
+it, and whether it would be better to break it up into pieces so that
+nobody recognized it.
 
 Curse you, Roach, must I think of everything? snarled Spittleworth.
 Go now, take Beamishs body out of those filthy cloaks, cover it with a
-Cornucopian flag, and lay him out in the Blue Parlour. Put guards on the
-door and then bring Mrs Beamish to me in the Throne Room.
+Cornucopian flag, and lay him out in the Blue Parlor. Put guards on the
+door and then bring Mrs. Beamish to me in the Throne Room.
 
 Also, give the order that these soldiers must not go home or talk to
 their families until Ive spoken to them. Its essential that we all
-tell the same story! Now hurry, fool, hurry -- Beamishs widow could
+tell the same story! Now hurry, fool, hurry --- Beamishs widow could
 ruin everything!
 
 Spittleworth pushed his way past soldiers and stable boys to where
 Flapoon was being lifted off his horse.
 
-Keep the king away from the Throne Room and the Blue Parlour,
+Keep the king away from the Throne Room and the Blue Parlor,
 Spittleworth whispered in Flapoons ear. Encourage him to go to bed!
 
 Flapoon nodded and Spittleworth hurried away through the dimly lit
@@ -1834,33 +1836,33 @@
 bellowing at the servants to fetch him fresh clothes.
 
 Once in the deserted Throne Room, Spittleworth pulled on his clean
-jacket, and ordered a maid to light a single lamp and bring him a glass
+jacket and ordered a maid to light a single lamp and bring him a glass
 of wine. Then he waited. At last, there came a knock on the door.
 
 Enter! shouted Spittleworth, and in came Major Roach, accompanied by a
-white-faced Mrs Beamish, and young Bert.
-
-My dear Mrs Beamish... my *very* dear Mrs Beamish, said Spittleworth,
-striding towards her and clasping her free hand. The king has asked me
-to tell you how deeply sorry he is. I add my own condolences. What a
-tragedy... what an awful tragedy.
-
-W-why did nobody send word? sobbed Mrs Beamish. W-why did we have to
-find out by seeing his poor -- his poor body?
+white-faced Mrs. Beamish, and young Bert.
+
+My dear Mrs. Beamish . . . my *very* dear Mrs. Beamish, said
+Spittleworth, striding toward her and clasping her free hand. The king
+has asked me to tell you how deeply sorry he is. I add my own
+condolences. What a tragedy . . . what an awful tragedy.
+
+W-why did nobody send word? sobbed Mrs. Beamish. W-why did we have to
+find out, by seeing his poor --- his poor body?
 
 She swayed a little, and Roach hurried to fetch a small golden chair.
 The maid, who was called Hetty, arrived with wine for Spittleworth, and
 while she was pouring it, Spittleworth said:
 
-Dear lady, we did in fact send word. We sent a messenger -- didnt we,
+Dear lady, we did in fact send word. We sent a messenger --- didnt we,
 Roach?
 
-Thats right, said Roach. We sent a young lad called...
+Thats right, said Roach. We sent a young lad called ---
 
 But here, Roach got stuck. He was a man of very little imagination.
 
 Nobby, said Spittleworth, saying the first name that came into his
-head. Little Nobby... Buttons, he added, because the flickering
+head. Little Nobby . . . Buttons, he added, because the flickering
 lamplight had just illuminated one of Roachs golden buttons. Yes,
 little Nobby Buttons volunteered, and off he galloped. What could have
 become of him? Roach, said Spittleworth, we must send out a search
@@ -1868,7 +1870,7 @@
 
 At once, my lord, said Roach, bowing deeply, and he left.
 
-How... how did my husband die? whispered Mrs Beamish.
+How . . . how did my husband die? whispered Mrs. Beamish.
 
 Well, madam, said Spittleworth, speaking carefully, for he knew that
 the story he told now would become the official version, and that hed
@@ -1890,32 +1892,32 @@
 and until we reached Chouxville, I never doubted that hed arrived and
 given you warning of this dreadful tragedy.
 
-Can I -- can I see my husband? wept Mrs Beamish.
-
-Of course, of course, said Spittleworth. Hes in the Blue Parlour.
-
-He led Mrs Beamish and Bert, who was still clutching his mothers hand,
-to the doors of the parlour, where he paused.
+Can I --- can I see my husband? wept Mrs. Beamish.
+
+Of course, of course, said Spittleworth. Hes in the Blue Parlor.
+
+He led Mrs. Beamish and Bert, who was still clutching his mothers hand,
+to the doors of the parlor, where he paused.
 
 I regret, he said, that we cannot remove the flag covering him. His
-injuries would be far too distressing for you to see... the fang and
-claw marks, you know...
-
-Mrs Beamish swayed yet again and Bert grabbed hold of her, to keep her
+injuries would be far too distressing for you to see . . . the fang and
+claw marks, you know . . .
+
+Mrs. Beamish swayed yet again and Bert grabbed hold of her, to keep her
 upright. Now Lord Flapoon walked up to the group, holding a tray of
 pies.
 
 Kings in bed, he said thickly to Spittleworth. Oh, hello, he added,
-looking at Mrs Beamish, who was one of the few servants whose name he
+looking at Mrs. Beamish, who was one of the few servants whose name he
 knew, because she baked the pastries. Sorry about the major, said
-Flapoon, spraying Mrs Beamish and Bert with crumbs of pie crust. Always
-liked him.
-
-He walked away, leaving Spittleworth to open the door of the Blue
-Parlour to let Mrs Beamish and Bert inside. There lay the body of Major
+Flapoon, spraying Mrs. Beamish and Bert with crumbs of pie crust.
+Always liked him.
+
+He walked away, leaving Spittleworth to open the door of the Blue Parlor
+to let Mrs. Beamish and Bert inside. There lay the body of Major
 Beamish, concealed beneath the Cornucopian flag.
 
-Cant I at least kiss him one last time? sobbed Mrs Beamish.
+Cant I at least kiss him one last time? sobbed Mrs. Beamish.
 
 Quite impossible, Im afraid, said Spittleworth. His face is half
 gone.
@@ -1926,9 +1928,9 @@
 And before Spittleworth could stop the boy, Bert reached beneath the
 flag for his fathers hand, which was quite unmarked.
 
-Mrs Beamish knelt down and kissed the hand over and over again, until it
-shone with tears as though made of porcelain. Then Bert helped her to
-her feet and the two of them left the Blue Parlour without another word.
+Mrs. Beamish knelt down and kissed the hand over and over again, until
+it shone with tears as though made of porcelain. Then Bert helped her to
+her feet and the two of them left the Blue Parlor without another word.
 :::
 
 Goodfellow Makes a Stand
@@ -1950,9 +1952,9 @@
 Has anyone got any questions about what happened back in the
 Marshlands? he asked the men.
 
-The soldiers looked at each other. Some of them stole furtive glances at
-Roach, whod retreated against the wall, and was polishing a rifle. Then
-Captain Goodfellow raised his hand, along with two other soldiers.
+The soldiers looked at one another. Some of them stole furtive glances
+at Roach, whod retreated against the wall, and was polishing a rifle.
+Then Captain Goodfellow raised his hand, along with two other soldiers.
 
 Why was Beamishs body wrapped up before any of us could look at it?
 asked Captain Goodfellow.
@@ -1966,7 +1968,7 @@
 All excellent questions, replied Spittleworth smoothly. Let me
 explain.
 
-And he repeated the story of the attack that hed told Mrs Beamish.
+And he repeated the story of the attack that hed told Mrs. Beamish.
 
 The soldiers whod asked questions remained unsatisfied.
 
@@ -2001,10 +2003,10 @@
 Perhaps some of these men have better memories than you do. Perhaps they
 remember poor Nobby Buttons clearly. Dear little Nobby, in whose memory
 the king will add a fat bag of gold to everybodys pay this week. Proud,
-brave Nobby, whose sacrifice -- for I fear the monster has eaten him, as
-well as Beamish -- will mean a pay rise for all his comrades-in-arms.
-Noble Nobby Buttons, whose closest friends are surely marked for speedy
-promotion.
+brave Nobby, whose sacrifice --- for I fear the monster has eaten him,
+as well as Beamish --- will mean a pay rise for all his
+comrades-in-arms. Noble Nobby Buttons, whose closest friends are surely
+marked for speedy promotion.
 
 Another silence followed Spittleworths words, and this silence had a
 cold, heavy quality. Now the whole Royal Guard understood the choice
@@ -2038,7 +2040,7 @@
 indeed. There will be pay rises all round, and I shall remember your
 names when it comes to promotions. Now, dont forget to tell your
 families exactly what happened in the Marshlands. It might bode ill for
-your wives, your parents and your children if theyre heard to question
+your wives, your parents, and your children if theyre heard to question
 the existence of the Ickabog, or of Nobby Buttons.
 
 You may now return home.
@@ -2053,7 +2055,7 @@
 
 What now? groaned Spittleworth, who very much wanted his bath and bed.
 
-The -- Chief -- Advisor! panted Flapoon.
+The --- Chief --- Advisor! panted Flapoon.
 
 And sure enough, Herringbone, the Chief Advisor, now appeared, wearing
 his dressing gown and an expression of outrage.
@@ -2066,7 +2068,7 @@
 
 I can explain everything, Chief Advisor, said Spittleworth with a bow,
 and for the third time that evening, he related the tale of the Ickabog
-attacking the king, and killing Beamish, and then the mysterious
+attacking the king, and killing Beamish, then the mysterious
 disappearance of Nobby Buttons who, Spittleworth feared, had also fallen
 prey to the monster.
 
@@ -2116,23 +2118,23 @@
 real, and I stand with the king. I am the new Chief Advisor, and I will
 be devising a plan to protect the kingdom. All who are loyal to the king
 will find their lives run very much as before. Any who stand against the
-king will suffer the penalty of cowards and traitors: imprisonment -- or
-death.
+king will suffer the penalty of cowards and traitors: imprisonment ---
+or death.
 
 Now, I need one of you gentlemen to assist Major Roach in burying the
-body of our dear Chief Advisor -- and be sure and put him where he wont
-be found. The rest of you are free to return to your families and inform
-them of the danger threatening our beloved Cornucopia.
+body of our dear Chief Advisor --- and be sure and put him where he
+wont be found. The rest of you are free to return to your families and
+inform them of the danger threatening our beloved Cornucopia.
 :::
 
 Lady Eslanda
 ============
 
 ::: {.entry-content}
-Spittleworth now marched off towards the dungeons. With Herringbone
-gone, there was nothing to stop him killing the three honest soldiers.
-He intended to shoot them himself. There would be time enough to invent
-a story afterwards -- possibly he could place their bodies in the vault
+Spittleworth now marched off toward the dungeons. With Herringbone gone,
+there was nothing to stop him killing the three honest soldiers. He
+intended to shoot them himself. There would be time enough to invent a
+story afterward --- possibly he could place their bodies in the vault
 where the crown jewels were kept, and pretend theyd been trying to
 steal them.
 
@@ -2146,7 +2148,7 @@
 
 Youre awake late, my lady, said Spittleworth, with a bow.
 
-Yes, said Lady Eslanda, whose heart was beating very fast. I -- I
+Yes, said Lady Eslanda, whose heart was beating very fast. I --- I
 couldnt sleep. I thought Id take a little stroll.
 
 This was a fib. In fact, Eslanda had been fast asleep in her bed when
@@ -2172,7 +2174,7 @@
 Herringbone gave the order for Captain Goodfellow and his friends to be
 taken to the dungeons instead of being shot. Shed been hiding on the
 stairs ever since, because she had a feeling the danger threatening the
-men might not yet have passed -- and here, sure enough, was Lord
+men might not yet have passed --- and here, sure enough, was Lord
 Spittleworth, heading for the dungeons with a pistol.
 
 Is the Chief Advisor anywhere about? Lady Eslanda asked. I thought I
@@ -2191,8 +2193,8 @@
 I happened to hear Herringbone mention them, said Lady Eslanda.
 Theyre well-respected men, it seems. He was saying how important it
 will be for them to have a fair trial. I know King Fred will agree,
-because he cares deeply about his own popularity -- as he should, for if
-a king is to be effective, he must be loved.
+because he cares deeply about his own popularity --- as he should, for
+if a king is to be effective, he must be loved.
 
 Lady Eslanda did a good job of pretending that she was thinking only of
 the kings popularity, and I think nine out of ten people would have
@@ -2214,8 +2216,8 @@
 parents were cheesemakers, you know.
 
 It makes no difference to me whether a man is a cheesemaker or a king,
-so long as he behaves with honour, said Eslanda. And the king will be
-dishonoured, if those soldiers are shot without trial, and so Ill tell
+so long as he behaves with honor, said Eslanda. And the king will be
+dishonored, if those soldiers are shot without trial, and so Ill tell
 him, when he wakes.
 
 Lady Eslanda then turned, trembling, and climbed the spiral staircase.
@@ -2226,12 +2228,14 @@
 so cold he could barely feel them. He was trying to decide what to do.
 
 On the one hand, he really did want to get rid of these soldiers, who
-knew far too much. On the other, he feared Lady Eslanda was right:
-people would blame the king if the men were shot without trial. Then
-Fred would be angry at Spittleworth, and might even take the job of
-Chief Advisor away from him. If that happened, all the dreams of power
-and riches that Spittleworth had enjoyed on the journey back from the
-Marshlands would be dashed.
+knew far too much.
+
+On the other, he feared Lady Eslanda was right: people would blame the
+king if the men were shot without trial. Then Fred would be angry at
+Spittleworth, and might even take the job of Chief Advisor away from
+him. If that happened, all the dreams of power and riches that
+Spittleworth had enjoyed on the journey back from the Marshlands would
+be dashed.
 
 So Spittleworth turned away from the dungeon door and headed to his bed.
 He was deeply offended by the idea that Lady Eslanda, whom hed once
@@ -2255,29 +2259,29 @@
 unable to shake off the shock of his trip. He stayed shut up in his
 private apartments, and had all his meals brought to him on golden
 trays. Instead of going hunting, he paced up and down on his thick
-carpets, re-living his awful adventure in the north and meeting only his
+carpets, reliving his awful adventure in the north, and meeting only his
 two best friends, who were careful to keep his fears alive.
 
 On the third day after their return from the Marshlands, Spittleworth
-entered the kings private apartments with a sombre face, and announced
+entered the kings private apartments with a somber face, and announced
 that the soldiers whod been sent back to the marsh to find out what
 happened to Private Nobby Buttons had discovered nothing but his
-bloodstained shoes, a single horseshoe and a few well-gnawed bones.
+bloodstained shoes, a single horseshoe, and a few well-gnawed bones.
 
 The king turned white and sat down hard on a satin sofa.
 
-Oh, how dreadful, how dreadful... Private Buttons... Remind me, which
-one was he?
+Oh, how dreadful, how dreadful . . . Private Buttons . . . remind me,
+which one was he?
 
 Young man, freckles, only son of a widowed mother, said Spittleworth.
 The newest recruit to the Royal Guard, and such a promising boy.
 Tragic, really. And the worst of it is, between Beamish and Buttons, the
-Ickabog has developed a taste for human flesh -- *precisely* as Your
+Ickabog has developed a taste for human flesh --- *precisely* as Your
 Majesty predicted. It is really astonishing, if I may say so, how Your
 Majesty grasped the danger from the first.
 
 B-but what is to be done, Spittleworth? If the monster is hungry for
-more human prey...
+more human prey . . .
 
 Leave it all to me, Your Majesty, said Spittleworth soothingly. Im
 Chief Advisor, you know, and Im at work day and night to keep the
@@ -2286,7 +2290,7 @@
 Im so glad Herringbone appointed you his successor, Spittleworth,
 said Fred. What would I do without you?
 
-Tish, pish, Your Majesty, tis an honour to serve so gracious a king.
+Tish, pish, Your Majesty, tis an honor to serve so gracious a king.
 
 Now, we ought to discuss tomorrows funerals. Were intending to bury
 whats left of Buttons next to Major Beamish. It is to be a state
@@ -2297,7 +2301,7 @@
 
 Oh, is there a medal? said Fred.
 
-Certainly there is, sire, and that reminds me -- you havent yet
+Certainly there is, sire, and that reminds me --- you havent yet
 received your own.
 
 From an inner pocket, Spittleworth pulled out a most gorgeous gold
@@ -2317,7 +2321,7 @@
 
 Freds honesty had piped up, in a small, clear voice: *It didnt happen
 like that. You know it didnt. You saw the Ickabog in the fog, you
-dropped your sword and you ran away. You never stabbed it. You were
+dropped your sword, and you ran away. You never stabbed it. You were
 never near enough!*
 
 But Freds cowardice blustered louder than his honesty: *Youve already
@@ -2337,50 +2341,50 @@
 Your Majestys modesty is legendary, said Spittleworth, bowing low to
 hide his smirk.
 
-The following day was declared a national day of mourning in honour of
-the Ickabogs victims. Crowds lined the streets to watch Major Beamish
-and Private Buttons coffins pass on wagons drawn by plumed black
+The following day was declared a national day of mourning in honor of
+the Ickabogs victims. Crowds lined the streets to watch Major Beamishs
+and Private Buttonss coffins pass on wagons drawn by plumed black
 horses.
 
 King Fred rode behind the coffins on a jet-black horse, with the Medal
 for Outstanding Bravery Against the Deadly Ickabog bouncing on his chest
 and reflecting the sunlight so brightly that it hurt the eyes of the
-crowd. Behind the king walked Mrs Beamish and Bert, also dressed in
+crowd. Behind the king walked Mrs. Beamish and Bert, also dressed in
 black, and behind them came a howling old woman in a ginger wig, whod
-been introduced to them as Mrs Buttons, Nobbys mother.
+been introduced to them as Mrs. Buttons, Nobbys mother.
 
 Oh, my Nobby, she wailed as she walked. Oh, down with the awful
 Ickabog, who killed my poor Nobby!
 
 The coffins were lowered into graves and the national anthem was played
-by the kings buglers. Buttons coffin was particularly heavy, because
-it had been filled with bricks. The odd-looking Mrs Buttons wailed and
+by the kings buglers. Buttonss coffin was particularly heavy, because
+it had been filled with bricks. The odd-looking Mrs. Buttons wailed and
 cursed the Ickabog again while ten sweating men lowered her sons coffin
-into the ground. Mrs Beamish and Bert stood quietly weeping.
+into the ground. Mrs. Beamish and Bert stood quietly weeping.
 
 Then King Fred called the grieving relatives forward to receive their
 mens medals. Spittleworth hadnt been prepared to spend as much money
 on Beamish and the imaginary Buttons as hed spent on the king, so their
 medals were made of silver rather than gold. However, it made an
-affecting ceremony, especially as Mrs Buttons was so overcome that she
+affecting ceremony, especially as Mrs. Buttons was so overcome that she
 fell to the ground and kissed the kings boots.
 
-Mrs Beamish and Bert walked home from the funeral and the crowds parted
-respectfully to let them pass. Only once did Mrs Beamish pause, and that
-was when her old friend Mr Dovetail stepped out of the crowd to tell her
-how sorry he was. The two embraced. Daisy wanted to say something to
-Bert, but the whole crowd was staring, and she couldnt even catch his
-eye, because he was scowling at his feet. Before she knew it, her father
-had released Mrs Beamish, and Daisy watched her best friend and his
-mother walk out of sight.
-
-Once they were back in their cottage, Mrs Beamish threw herself face
-down on her bed where she sobbed and sobbed. Bert tried to comfort her,
-but nothing worked, so he took his fathers medal into his own bedroom
-and placed it on the mantelpiece.
-
-Only when he stood back to look at it did he realise that hed placed
-his fathers medal right beside the wooden Ickabog that Mr Dovetail had
+Mrs. Beamish and Bert walked home from the funeral and the crowds parted
+respectfully to let them pass. Only once did Mrs. Beamish pause, and
+that was when her old friend Mr. Dovetail stepped out of the crowd to
+tell her how sorry he was. The two embraced. Daisy wanted to say
+something to Bert, but the whole crowd was staring, and she couldnt
+even catch his eye, because he was scowling at his feet. Before she knew
+it, her father had released Mrs. Beamish, and Daisy watched her best
+friend and his mother walk out of sight.
+
+Once they were back in their cottage, Mrs. Beamish threw herself
+facedown on her bed where she sobbed and sobbed. Bert tried to comfort
+her, but nothing worked, so he took his fathers medal into his own
+bedroom and placed it on the mantelpiece.
+
+Only when he stood back to look at it did he realize that hed placed
+his fathers medal right beside the wooden Ickabog that Mr. Dovetail had
 carved for him so long ago. Until this moment, Bert hadnt connected the
 toy Ickabog with the way his father had died.
 
@@ -2407,16 +2411,16 @@
 
 Oh, Im sorry to hear that, Your Majesty, said Spittleworth. I
 thought it right for the widow Beamish to take a few days off work.
-These are the work of the under pastry chef.
+These are the work of the under--pastry chef.
 
 Well, theyre chewy, said Fred, dropping half his Folderol Fancy back
 on his plate. And what are all these scrolls?
 
-These, sire, are suggestions for improving the kingdoms defences
+These, sire, are suggestions for improving the kingdoms defenses
 against the Ickabog, said Spittleworth.
 
 Excellent, excellent, said King Fred, moving the cakes and the teapot
-aside to make more room, as Spittleworth pulled up a chair.
+aside to make more room as Spittleworth pulled up a chair.
 
 The very first thing to be done, Your Majesty, was to find out as much
 as we could about the Ickabog itself, the better to discover how to
@@ -2428,11 +2432,11 @@
 That, forgive me, is where Your Majesty is wrong, said Spittleworth.
 By dint of ceaseless searching, Ive managed to find the foremost
 Ickabog expert in all of Cornucopia. Lord Flapoon is waiting with him in
-the hall. With Your Majestys permission---
+the hall. With Your Majestys permission ---
 
 Bring him in, bring him in, do! said Fred excitedly.
 
-So Spittleworth left the room and returned shortly afterwards with Lord
+So Spittleworth left the room and returned shortly afterward with Lord
 Flapoon and a little old man with snowy white hair and spectacles so
 thick that his eyes had vanished almost into nothingness.
 
@@ -2457,44 +2461,44 @@
 Lord Spittleworths butler, who was called Otto Scrumble, and looked
 after Lord Spittleworths estate while he lived at the palace. Like his
 master, Scrumble would do anything for gold, and had agreed to
-impersonate both the widow and the professor for a hundred ducats.
+impersonate both the widow and the professor for a hundred Ducats.
 
 So, what can you tell us about the Ickabog, Professor Fraudysham?
 asked the king.
 
 Well, lets see, said the pretend professor, whod been told by
-Spittleworth what he ought to say. Its as tall as two horses---
+Spittleworth what he ought to say. Its as tall as two horses ---
 
 If not taller, interrupted Fred, whose nightmares had featured a
 gigantic Ickabog ever since hed returned from the Marshlands.
 
 If, as Your Majesty says, not taller, agreed Fraudysham. I should
 estimate that a medium-sized Ickabog would be as tall as two horses,
-whereas a large specimen might reach the size of -- lets see---
+whereas a large specimen might reach the size of --- lets see ---
 
 Two elephants, suggested the king.
 
-Two elephants, agreed Fraudysham. And with eyes like lamps---
+Two elephants, agreed Fraudysham. And with eyes like lamps ---
 
 Or glowing balls of fire, suggested the king.
 
 The very image I was about to employ, sire! said Fraudysham.
 
 And can the monster really speak in a human tongue? asked Fred, in
-whose nightmares the monster whispered, *The king... I want the king...
-Where are you, little king?* as it crept through the dark streets
-towards the palace.
+whose nightmares the monster whispered,  *The king . . . I want the
+king . . . where are you, little king?* as it crept through the dark
+streets toward the palace.
 
 Yes, indeed, said Fraudysham, with another low bow. We believe the
-Ickabog learnt to speak Human by taking people prisoner. Before
-disembowelling and eating its victims, we believe it forces them to give
+Ickabog learned to speak Human by taking people prisoner. Before
+disemboweling and eating its victims, we believe it forces them to give
 it English lessons.
 
 Suffering Saints, what savagery! whispered Fred, whod turned pale.
 
 Moreover, said Fraudysham, the Ickabog has a long and vengeful
-memory. If outwitted by a victim -- as you outwitted it, sire, by
-escaping its deadly clutches -- it has sometimes sneaked out of the
+memory. If outwitted by a victim --- as you outwitted it, sire, by
+escaping its deadly clutches --- it has sometimes sneaked out of the
 marsh under cover of darkness, and claimed its victim while he or she
 slept.
 
@@ -2508,7 +2512,7 @@
 
 So saying, Spittleworth took hold of one of the scrolls hed brought
 with him and unrolled it. There, covering most of the table, was a
-coloured picture of a monster that resembled a dragon. It was huge and
+colored picture of a monster that resembled a dragon. It was huge and
 ugly, with thick black scales, gleaming white eyes, a tail that ended in
 a poisonous spike, a fanged mouth large enough to swallow a man, and
 long, razor-sharp claws.
@@ -2527,21 +2531,22 @@
 Your Majesty might remember that many of the old tales of the Ickabog
 make mention of this curious fact, interjected Spittleworth, who really
 needed the king to believe in this particular trait of the Ickabog,
-because most of his plan relied on it.
-
-But it seems so -- so unlikely! said Fred weakly.
+because most of his plan relied on it.\
+But it seems so --- so unlikely! said Fred weakly.
 
 It *does* seem unlikely on the face of it, doesnt it, sire? said
 Spittleworth, with another bow. In truth, its one of those
 extraordinary, unbelievable ideas that only the very cleverest people
-can grasp, whereas common folk -- stupid folk, sire -- giggle and laugh
-at the notion.
+can grasp, whereas common folk --- *stupid* folk, sire --- giggle and
+laugh at the notion.
 
 Fred looked from Spittleworth to Flapoon to Professor Fraudysham; all
 three men seemed to be waiting for him to prove how clever he was, and
-naturally he didnt want to seem stupid, so he said: Yes... well, if
-the professor says it, thats good enough for me... but if the monster
-turns into two monsters every time it dies, how do we kill it?
+naturally he didnt want to seem stupid, so he said:
+
+Yes . . . well, if the professor says it, thats good enough for me . .
+. but if the monster turns into two monsters every time it dies, how do
+we kill it?
 
 Well, in the first phase of our plan, we dont, said Spittleworth.
 
@@ -2551,29 +2556,29 @@
 Cornucopia. The northernmost tip had a drawing of a gigantic Ickabog on
 it. All around the edge of the wide marsh stood a hundred little stick
 figures, holding swords. Fred looked closely to see whether any of them
-was wearing a crown, and was relieved to see that none were.
+were wearing a crown, and was relieved to see that none were.
 
 As you can see, Your Majesty, our first proposal is a special Ickabog
-Defence Brigade. These men will patrol the edge of the Marshlands, to
+Defense Brigade. These men will patrol the edge of the Marshlands, to
 ensure that the Ickabog cant leave the marsh. We estimate the cost of
 such a brigade, including uniforms, weapons, horses, wages, training,
 board, lodging, sick pay, danger money, birthday presents, and medals to
-be around ten thousand gold ducats.
-
-Ten thousand ducats? repeated King Fred. Thats a lot of gold.
-However, when it comes to protecting me -- I mean to say, when it comes
-to protecting Cornucopia---
-
-Ten thousand ducats a month is a small price to pay, finished
+be around ten thousand gold Ducats.
+
+Ten thousand Ducats? repeated King Fred. Thats a lot of gold.
+However, when it comes to protecting me --- I mean to say, when it comes
+to protecting Cornucopia ---
+
+Ten thousand Ducats a month is a small price to pay, finished
 Spittleworth.
 
 Ten thousand *a month* ! yelped Fred.
 
 Yes, sire, said Spittleworth. If were to truly defend the kingdom,
 the expense will be considerable. However, if Your Majesty feels we
-could manage with fewer weapons---
-
-No, no, I didnt say that---
+could manage with fewer weapons ---
+
+No, no, I didnt say that ---
 
 Naturally, we dont expect Your Majesty to bear the expense alone,
 continued Spittleworth.
@@ -2581,21 +2586,21 @@
 You dont? said Fred, suddenly hopeful.
 
 Oh, no, sire, that would be grossly unfair. After all, the entire
-country will benefit from the Ickabog Defence Brigade. I suggest we
+country will benefit from the Ickabog Defense Brigade. I suggest we
 impose an Ickabog tax. Well ask every household in Cornucopia to pay
-one gold ducat a month. Of course, this will mean the recruitment and
+one gold Ducat a month. Of course, this will mean the recruitment and
 training of many new tax collectors, but if we raise the amount to two
-ducats, well cover the cost of them, too.
+Ducats, well cover the cost of them, too.
 
 Admirable, Spittleworth! said King Fred. What a brain you have! Why,
-two ducats a month -- people will barely notice the loss.
+two Ducats a month --- people will barely notice the loss.
 :::
 
 The House with No Flags
 =======================
 
 ::: {.entry-content}
-And so a monthly tax of two gold ducats was imposed on every household
+And so a monthly tax of two gold Ducats was imposed on every household
 in Cornucopia, to protect the country from the Ickabog. Tax collectors
 soon became a common sight on the streets of Cornucopia. They had large,
 staring white eyes like lamps painted on the back of their black
@@ -2614,7 +2619,7 @@
 deserving of a handsome statue. Major Beamish, on the other hand, seemed
 merely to have died by accident, blundering unwisely across the foggy
 marsh in the dark. In fact, the drinkers of Chouxville felt quite
-resentful towards Beamish, as the man whod forced Nobby Buttons to risk
+resentful toward Beamish, as the man whod forced Nobby Buttons to risk
 his life.
 
 Happy to bow to the public mood, Spittleworth had a statue of Nobby
@@ -2624,7 +2629,7 @@
 Buttons was forever frozen in the act of galloping back to the
 City-Within-The-City. It became fashionable to lay flowers around the
 statues base every Sunday. One rather plain young woman, who laid
-flowers every day of the week, claimed shed been Nobby Buttons
+flowers every day of the week, claimed shed been Nobby Buttonss
 girlfriend.
 
 Spittleworth also decided to spend some gold on a scheme to keep the
@@ -2638,10 +2643,10 @@
 
 Does it really? said the king, fiddling with his buttons, which that
 day were made of emeralds. Fred remembered the ambition hed formed, the
-morning hed first tried on battledress, of being painted killing the
+morning hed first tried on battle dress, of being painted killing the
 Ickabog. He liked this idea of Spittleworths very much, so he spent the
 next two weeks choosing and being fitted for a new uniform, because the
-old one was much stained by the marsh, and having a replacement jewelled
+old one was much stained by the marsh, and having a replacement jeweled
 sword made. Then Spittleworth hired the best portrait painter in
 Cornucopia, Malik Motley, and Fred began posing for weeks on end, for a
 portrait large enough to cover an entire wall of the Throne Room. Behind
@@ -2675,17 +2680,17 @@
 square in Cornucopia, all written by Spittleworth and signed by the
 king. It was treason to question the kings decisions, treason to
 suggest that the Ickabog might not be real, treason to question the need
-for the Ickabog tax and treason not to pay your two ducats a month.
-There was also a reward of ten ducats if you reported someone for saying
+for the Ickabog tax, and treason not to pay your two Ducats a month.
+There was also a reward of ten Ducats if you reported someone for saying
 the Ickabog wasnt real.
 
 The advisors were frightened of being accused of treason. They didnt
 want to be locked up in a dungeon. It really was much more pleasant to
 keep living in the lovely mansions which came with the job of advisor,
-and to continue wearing their special advisor robes, which meant they
-were allowed to go straight to the head of the queue in pastry shops.
-
-So they approved all the expenses of the Ickabog Defence Brigade, who
+and continue wearing their special advisor robes, which meant they were
+allowed to go straight to the head of the queue in pastry shops.
+
+So they approved all the expenses of the Ickabog Defense Brigade, who
 wore green uniforms, which Spittleworth said hid them better in the
 marsh weed. The Brigade soon became a common sight, parading through the
 streets of all of Cornucopias major cities.
@@ -2693,7 +2698,7 @@
 Some might wonder why the Brigade was riding through the streets waving
 at people, instead of remaining up in the north, where the monster was
 supposed to be, but they kept their thoughts to themselves. Meanwhile,
-most of their fellow citizens competed with each other to demonstrate
+most of their fellow citizens competed with one another to demonstrate
 their passionate belief in the Ickabog. They propped up cheap copies of
 the painting of King Fred fighting the Ickabog in their windows, and
 hung wooden signs on their doors, which bore messages like PROUD TO PAY
@@ -2704,15 +2709,15 @@
 The Beamish house was decorated in so many anti-Ickabog banners that it
 was hard to see what the cottage beneath looked like. Bert had returned
 to school at last, but to Daisys disappointment, he spent all his
-breaks with Roderick Roach, talking about the time when they would both
-join the Ickabog Defence Brigade and kill the monster. Shed never felt
-lonelier, and wondered whether Bert missed her at all.
+breaks at school with Roderick Roach, talking about the time when they
+would both join the Ickabog Defense Brigade and kill the monster. Shed
+never felt lonelier and wondered whether Bert missed her at all.
 
 Daisys own house was the only one in the City-Within-The-City that was
 entirely free of flags and signs welcoming the Ickabog tax. Her father
-also kept Daisy inside whenever the Ickabog Defence Brigade rode past,
+also kept Daisy inside whenever the Ickabog Defense Brigade rode past,
 rather than urging her to run into the garden and cheer, like the
-neighbours children.
+neighbors children.
 
 Lord Spittleworth noticed the absence of flags and signs on the tiny
 cottage beside the graveyard, and filed that knowledge away in the back
@@ -2755,7 +2760,7 @@
 was perfectly clean, but Spittleworth meant to make him feel small, and
 Im sorry to say he succeeded.
 
-Treason? repeated Mrs Wagstaff in astonishment. Why, you wont find
+Treason? repeated Mrs. Wagstaff in astonishment. Why, you wont find
 more loyal subjects of the king anywhere in the land than those three!
 
 Spittleworths crafty eyes moved between the worried relatives, who so
@@ -2801,7 +2806,7 @@
 accidentally stabbed himself with his own scythe, and got eaten by his
 own pigs? Or, whispered Spittleworth, moving closer to the bars, and
 staring into Goodfellows eyes, if Lady Eslanda were to have a riding
-accident, and break her slender neck.
+accident, and broke her slender neck.
 
 You see, Spittleworth believed that Lady Eslanda was Captain
 Goodfellows lover. It would never occur to him that a woman might try
@@ -2822,16 +2827,16 @@
 life, Goodfellow: will you sacrifice hers?
 
 Goodfellow was speechless with shock. The idea that Lady Eslanda was in
-love with him was so marvellous that it almost eclipsed Spittleworths
-threats. Then the captain realised that, in order to save Eslandas
+love with him was so marvelous that it almost eclipsed Spittleworths
+threats. Then the captain realized that, in order to save Eslandas
 life, he would have to publicly confess to treason the next day, which
 would surely kill her love for him stone-dead.
 
-From the way the colour had drained out of the three mens faces,
+From the way the color had drained out of the three mens faces,
 Spittleworth could see that his threats had done the trick.
 
 Take courage, gentlemen, he said. Im sure no awful accidents will
-happen to your loved ones, as long as you tell the truth tomorrow...
+happen to your loved ones, as long as you tell the truth tomorrow . . .
 
 So notices were pinned up all over the capital announcing the trial, and
 the following day, an enormous crowd packed itself into the largest
@@ -2842,30 +2847,30 @@
 
 The crowd booed the soldiers so loudly that it was hard to hear what the
 judge (Lord Spittleworth) was saying. However, all the time Spittleworth
-was reading out the sentence -- life imprisonment in the palace dungeons
--- Captain Goodfellow stared directly into the eyes of Lady Eslanda, who
-sat watching, high in the stands, with the other ladies of the court.
-Sometimes, two people can tell each other more with a look than others
-could tell each other with a lifetime of words. I will not tell you
-everything that Lady Eslanda and Captain Goodfellow said with their
-eyes, but she knew, now, that the captain returned her feelings, and he
-learnt, even though he was going to prison for the rest of his life,
-that Lady Eslanda knew he was innocent.
+was reading out the sentence --- life imprisonment in the palace
+dungeons --- Captain Goodfellow stared directly into the eyes of Lady
+Eslanda, who sat watching, high in the stands, with the other ladies of
+the court. Sometimes, two people can tell each other more with a look
+than others could tell each other with a lifetime of words. I will not
+tell you everything that Lady Eslanda and Captain Goodfellow said with
+their eyes, but she knew, now, that the captain returned her feelings,
+and he learned, even though he was going to prison for the rest of his
+life, that Lady Eslanda knew he was innocent.
 
 The three prisoners were led from the platform in chains, while the
-crowd threw cabbages at them and then dispersed, chattering loudly. Many
-of them felt Lord Spittleworth should have put the traitors to death,
-and Spittleworth chuckled to himself as he returned to the palace, for
-it was always best, if possible, to seem a reasonable man.
-
-Mr Dovetail had watched the trial from the back of the crowd. He hadnt
+crowd threw cabbages at them, and then dispersed, chattering loudly.
+Many of them felt Lord Spittleworth should have put the traitors to
+death, and Spittleworth chuckled to himself as he returned to the
+palace, for it was always best, if possible, to seem a reasonable man.
+
+Mr. Dovetail had watched the trial from the back of the crowd. He hadnt
 booed the soldiers, nor had he brought Daisy with him, but had left her
-carving in his workshop. As Mr Dovetail walked home, lost in thought, he
-saw Wagstaffs weeping mother being followed along the street by a gang
-of youths, who were booing and throwing vegetables at her.
-
-You follow this woman any further, and youll have me to deal with! Mr
-Dovetail shouted at the gang, who, seeing the size of the carpenter,
+carving in his workshop. As Mr. Dovetail walked home, lost in thought,
+he saw Wagstaffs weeping mother being followed along the street by a
+gang of youths, who were booing and throwing vegetables at her.
+
+You follow this woman any farther, and youll have me to deal with!
+Mr. Dovetail shouted at the gang, who, seeing the size of the carpenter,
 slunk away.
 :::
 
@@ -2881,30 +2886,30 @@
 proud to have the son of an Ickabog victim as a friend, but Daisys
 coming birthday, which was three days before Berts, would be a chance
 to find out whether they could repair their friendship. So she asked her
-father to write a note to Mrs Beamish, inviting her and her son to tea.
+father to write a note to Mrs. Beamish, inviting her and her son to tea.
 To Daisys delight, a note came back accepting the invitation, and even
 though Bert still didnt talk to her at school, she held out hope that
 everything would be made right on her birthday.
 
-Although he was well paid as carpenter to the king, even Mr Dovetail had
-felt the pinch of paying the Ickabog tax, so he and Daisy had bought
-fewer pastries than usual, and Mr Dovetail stopped buying wine. However,
-in honour of Daisys birthday, Mr Dovetail brought out his last bottle
-of Jeroboam wine, and Daisy collected all her savings and bought two
-expensive Hopes-of-Heaven for herself and Bert, because she knew they
-were his favourites.
-
-The birthday tea didnt start well. Firstly, Mr Dovetail proposed a
-toast to Major Beamish, which made Mrs Beamish cry. Then the four of
+Although he was well paid, as carpenter to the king, even Mr. Dovetail
+had felt the pinch of paying the Ickabog tax, so he and Daisy had bought
+fewer pastries than usual, and Mr. Dovetail stopped buying wine.
+However, in honor of Daisys birthday, Mr. Dovetail brought out his last
+bottle of Jeroboam wine, and Daisy collected all her savings and bought
+two expensive Hopes-of-Heaven for herself and Bert, because she knew
+they were his favorites.
+
+The birthday tea didnt start well. Firstly, Mr. Dovetail proposed a
+toast to Major Beamish, which made Mrs. Beamish cry. Then the four of
 them sat down to eat, but nobody seemed able to think of anything to
 say, until Bert remembered that hed bought Daisy a present.
 
 Bert had seen a bandalore, which is what people called yo-yos at that
-time, in a toyshop window and bought it with all his saved pocket money.
-Daisy had never seen one before, and what with Bert teaching her to use
-it, and Daisy swiftly becoming better at it than Bert was, and Mrs
-Beamish and Mr Dovetail drinking Jeroboam sparkling wine, conversation
-began to flow much more easily.
+time, in a toy shop window and bought it with all his saved pocket
+money. Daisy had never seen one before, and what with Bert teaching her
+to use it, and Daisy swiftly becoming better at it than Bert was, and
+Mrs. Beamish and Mr. Dovetail drinking Jeroboam sparkling wine,
+conversation began to flow much more easily.
 
 The truth was that Bert had missed Daisy very much, but hadnt known how
 to make up with her, with Roderick Roach always watching. Soon, though,
@@ -2914,58 +2919,59 @@
 were looking. The painful subjects of dead parents, or fights that got
 out of hand, or King Fred the Fearless, were all forgotten.
 
-The children were wiser than the adults. Mr Dovetail hadnt tasted wine
+The children were wiser than the adults. Mr. Dovetail hadnt tasted wine
 in a long time, and, unlike his daughter, he didnt stop to consider
 that discussing the monster that was supposed to have killed Major
-Beamish might be a bad idea. Daisy only realised what her father was
+Beamish might be a bad idea. Daisy only realized what her father was
 doing when he raised his voice over the childrens laughter.
 
-All Im saying, Bertha, Mr Dovetail was almost shouting, is wheres
+All Im saying, Bertha, Mr. Dovetail was almost shouting, is wheres
 the proof? Id like to see proof, thats all!
 
 You dont consider it proof, then, that my husband was killed? said
-Mrs Beamish, whose kindly face suddenly looked dangerous. Or poor
+Mrs. Beamish, whose kindly face suddenly looked dangerous. Or poor
 little Nobby Buttons?
 
-Little Nobby Buttons? repeated Mr Dovetail. *Little Nobby Buttons?*
+Little Nobby Buttons? repeated Mr. Dovetail.  *Little Nobby Buttons?*
 Now you come to mention it, Id like proof of little Nobby Buttons! Who
 was he? Where did he live? Wheres that old widowed mother gone, who
 wore that ginger wig? Have you ever met a Buttons family in the
-City-Within-The-City? And if you *press* me, said Mr Dovetail,
-brandishing his wine glass, if you press me, Bertha, Ill ask you this:
-why was Nobby Buttons coffin so heavy, when all that was left of him
-were his shoes and a shin bone?
-
-Daisy made a furious face to try and shut her father up, but he didnt
-notice. Taking another large gulp of wine, he said: It doesnt add up,
-Bertha! Doesnt add up! Whos to say -- and this is just an idea, mind
-you -- but whos to say poor Beamish didnt fall off his horse and break
-his neck, and Lord Spittleworth saw an opportunity to pretend the
-Ickabog killed him, and charge us all a lot of gold?
-
-Mrs Beamish rose slowly to her feet. She wasnt a tall woman, but in her
-anger, she seemed to tower awfully over Mr Dovetail.
-
-My husband, she whispered in a voice so cold that Daisy felt
-goosebumps, was the best horseman in all of Cornucopia. My husband
-would no sooner have fallen off his horse than youd chop off your leg
-with your axe, Dan Dovetail. Nothing short of a terrible monster could
-have killed my husband, and you ought to watch your tongue, because
-saying the Ickabog isnt real happens to be treason!
-
-Treason! jeered Mr Dovetail. Come off it, Bertha, youre not going to
-stand there and tell me you believe in this treason nonsense? Why, a few
-months ago, not believing in the Ickabog made you a sane man, not a
+City-Within-The-City? And if you press me, said Mr. Dovetail,
+brandishing his wine glass, if you *press* me, Bertha, Ill ask you
+this: why was Nobby Buttonss coffin so heavy, when all that was left of
+him were his shoes and a shin bone?
+
+Daisy made a furious face, to try and shut her father up, but he didnt
+notice. Taking another large gulp of wine, he said:
+
+It doesnt add up, Bertha! Doesnt add up! Whos to say --- and this is
+just an idea, mind you --- but whos to say poor Beamish didnt fall off
+his horse and break his neck, and Lord Spittleworth saw an opportunity
+to pretend the Ickabog killed him, and charge us all a lot of gold?
+
+Mrs. Beamish rose slowly to her feet. She wasnt a tall woman, but in
+her anger, she seemed to tower awfully over Mr. Dovetail.
+
+My husband, she whispered in a voice so cold that Daisy felt goose
+bumps, was the best horseman in all of Cornucopia. My husband would no
+sooner have fallen off his horse than youd chop off your leg with your
+axe, Dan Dovetail. Nothing short of a terrible monster could have killed
+my husband, and you ought to watch your tongue, because saying the
+Ickabog isnt real happens to be treason!
+
+Treason! jeered Mr. Dovetail. Come off it, Bertha, youre not going
+to stand there and tell me you believe in this treason nonsense? Why, a
+few months ago, not believing in the Ickabog made you a sane man, not a
 traitor!
 
-That was before we knew the Ickabog was real! screeched Mrs Beamish.
-Bert -- were going home!
-
-No -- no -- please dont go! Daisy cried. She picked up a little box
+That was before we knew the Ickabog was real! screeched Mrs. Beamish.
+Bert --- were going home!
+
+No --- no --- please dont go! Daisy cried. She picked up a little box
 shed stowed under her chair and ran out into the garden after the
 Beamishes.
 
-Bert, please! Look -- I got us Hopes-of-Heaven, I spent all my pocket
+Bert, please! Look --- I got us Hopes-of-Heaven, I spent all my pocket
 money on them!
 
 Daisy wasnt to know that when he saw Hopes-of-Heaven now, Bert was
@@ -2974,10 +2980,9 @@
 kitchens, when his mother was promising him theyd have heard if
 anything had happened to Major Beamish.
 
-All the same, Bert didnt mean to dash Daisys gift to the ground. He
-meant only to push it away. Unluckily, Daisy lost her grip on the box,
-and the costly pastries fell into the flowerbed and were covered in
-earth.
+All the same, Bert didnt mean to dash Daisys to the ground. He meant
+only to push it away. Unluckily, Daisy lost her grip on the box, and the
+costly pastries fell into the flowerbed and were covered in earth.
 
 Daisy burst into tears.
 
@@ -2989,13 +2994,13 @@
 ===========================
 
 ::: {.entry-content}
-Unfortunately for Lord Spittleworth, Mr Dovetail wasnt the only person
+Unfortunately for Lord Spittleworth, Mr. Dovetail wasnt the only person
 whod started voicing doubts about the Ickabog.
 
 Cornucopia was growing slowly poorer. The rich merchants had no problem
-paying their Ickabog taxes. They gave the collectors two ducats a month,
+paying their Ickabog taxes. They gave the collectors two Ducats a month,
 then increased the prices on their pastries, cheeses, hams, and wines to
-pay themselves back. However, two gold ducats a month was increasingly
+pay themselves back. However, two gold Ducats a month was increasingly
 hard to find for the poorer folk, especially with food at the markets
 more expensive. Meanwhile, up in the Marshlands, children began to grow
 hollow-cheeked.
@@ -3017,7 +3022,7 @@
 invited everyone at the meeting to sign a petition to the king, asking
 for evidence that the Ickabog tax was still necessary. As soon as this
 meeting was over, Spittleworths spy, who had of course attended the
-meeting, jumped on his horse and rode south, arriving at the palace by
+meeting, jumped on his horse and rode south, arriving at the palace at
 midnight.
 
 Woken by a footman, Spittleworth hurriedly summoned Lord Flapoon and
@@ -3061,7 +3066,7 @@
 
 If it pleases Your Lordship, said Cankerby, I appened to be passing
 your room earlier, and I couldnt elp earing about that there
-treasonous meeting in Baronstown what you, Lord Flapoon and Major Roach
+treasonous meeting in Baronstown what you, Lord Flapoon, and Major Roach
 was talking about.
 
 Oh, couldnt you *help* it? said Spittleworth, in a dangerous voice.
@@ -3075,18 +3080,18 @@
 things, in the very shadow of the palace? Which of the kings servants
 dares question the kings word?
 
-Well... as to that... said Cankerby, shuffling his feet. Some would
-say thats valuable information, some would---
+Well . . . as to that . . . said Cankerby, shuffling his feet. Some
+would say thats valuable information, some would ---
 
 You tell me who it is, snarled Spittleworth, seizing the footman by
 the front of his jacket, and then Ill see whether you deserve payment!
-Their name -- *give me their name!* 
+Their name --- *give me their name!* 
 
 Its D-D-Dan Dovetail! said the footman.
 
-Dovetail... Dovetail... I know that name, said Spittleworth, releasing
-the footman, who staggered sideways and fell into an end table. Wasnt
-there a seamstress...?
+Dovetail . . . Dovetail . . . I know that name, said Spittleworth,
+releasing the footman, who staggered sideways and fell into an end
+table. Wasnt there a seamstress . . . ?
 
 Is wife, sir. She died, said Cankerby, straightening up.
 
@@ -3095,12 +3100,12 @@
 the king in the windows. How dyou know hes expressed these treasonous
 views?
 
-I appened to overear Mrs Beamish telling the scullery maid what e
+I appened to overear Mrs. Beamish telling the scullery maid what e
 said, said Cankerby.
 
-You *happen* to hear a lot of things, dont you, Cankerby? commented
+You happen to hear a lot of things, dont you, Cankerby? commented
 Spittleworth, feeling in his waistcoat for some gold. Very well. Here
-are ten ducats for you.
+are ten Ducats for you.
 
 Thank you very much, my lord, said the footman, bowing low.
 
@@ -3108,12 +3113,12 @@
 this Dovetail?
 
 What Spittleworth really wanted to know was whether the king would miss
-Mr Dovetail, if he disappeared.
+Mr. Dovetail, if he disappeared.
 
 Dovetail, my lord? Es a carpenter, said Cankerby, and he bowed
 himself out of the room.
 
-A carpenter, repeated Spittleworth out loud.  *A carpenter...* 
+A carpenter, repeated Spittleworth out loud.  *A carpenter . . .* 
 
 And as the door closed on Cankerby, another of Spittleworths lightning
 strike ideas hit him, and so amazed was he at his own brilliance, he had
@@ -3124,8 +3129,8 @@
 =====================
 
 ::: {.entry-content}
-Daisy had gone to school, and Mr Dovetail was busy in his workshop next
-morning, when Major Roach knocked on the carpenters door. Mr Dovetail
+Daisy had gone to school, and Mr. Dovetail was busy in his workshop next
+morning, when Major Roach knocked on the carpenters door. Mr. Dovetail
 knew Roach as the man who lived in his old house, and whod replaced
 Major Beamish as head of the Royal Guard. The carpenter invited Roach
 inside, but the major declined.
@@ -3133,31 +3138,31 @@
 Weve got an urgent job for you at the palace, Dovetail, he said. A
 shaft on the kings carriage has broken and he needs it tomorrow.
 
-Already? said Mr Dovetail. I only mended that last month.
+Already? said Mr. Dovetail. I only mended that last month.
 
 It was kicked, said Major Roach, by one of the carriage horses. Will
 you come?
 
-Of course, said Mr Dovetail, who was hardly likely to turn down a job
+Of course, said Mr. Dovetail, who was hardly likely to turn down a job
 from the king. So he locked up his workshop and followed Roach through
 the sunlit streets of the City-Within-The-City, talking of this and
 that, until they reached the part of the royal stables where the
 carriages were kept. Half a dozen soldiers were loitering outside the
-door, and they all looked up when they saw Mr Dovetail and Major Roach
+door, and they all looked up when they saw Mr. Dovetail and Major Roach
 approaching. One soldier had an empty flour sack in his hands, and
 another, a length of rope.
 
-Good morning, said Mr Dovetail.
+Good morning, said Mr. Dovetail.
 
 He made to walk past them, but before he knew what was happening, one
-soldier had thrown the flour sack over Mr Dovetails head and two more
+soldier had thrown the flour sack over Mr. Dovetails head and two more
 had pinned his arms behind his back and tied his wrists together with
-the rope. Mr Dovetail was a strong man -- he struggled and fought, but
+the rope. Mr. Dovetail was a strong man: he struggled and fought, but
 Roach muttered in his ear:
 
 Make one sound, and itll be your daughter who pays the price.
 
-Mr Dovetail closed his mouth. He permitted the soldiers to march him
+Mr. Dovetail closed his mouth. He permitted the soldiers to march him
 inside the palace, though he couldnt see where he was going. He soon
 guessed, though, because they took him down two steep flights of stairs
 and then onto a third, which was made of slippery stone. When he felt a
@@ -3165,24 +3170,24 @@
 it for sure when he heard the turning of an iron key, and the clanking
 of bars.
 
-The soldiers threw Mr Dovetail onto the cold stone floor. Somebody
+The soldiers threw Mr. Dovetail onto the cold stone floor. Somebody
 pulled off his hood.
 
-The surroundings were almost completely dark, and at first, Mr Dovetail
+The surroundings were almost completely dark, and at first, Mr. Dovetail
 couldnt make out anything around him. Then one of the soldiers lit a
-torch, and Mr Dovetail found himself staring at a pair of highly
+torch, and Mr. Dovetail found himself staring at a pair of highly
 polished boots. He looked up. Standing over him was a smiling Lord
 Spittleworth.
 
 Good morning, Dovetail, said Spittleworth. I have a little job for
 you. If you do it well, youll be home with your daughter before you
-know it. Refuse -- or do a poor job -- and youll never see her again.
+know it. Refuse --- or do a poor job --- and youll never see her again.
 Do we understand each other?
 
 Six soldiers and Major Roach were lined up against the cell wall, all of
 them holding swords.
 
-Yes, my lord, said Mr Dovetail in a low voice. I understand.
+Yes, my lord, said Mr. Dovetail in a low voice. I understand.
 
 Excellent, said Spittleworth. Moving aside, he revealed an enormous
 piece of wood, a section of a fallen tree as big as a pony. Beside the
@@ -3193,14 +3198,14 @@
 that a man on horseback can press the foot into soft ground, to make an
 imprint. Do you understand your task, carpenter?
 
-Mr Dovetail and Lord Spittleworth looked deep into each others eyes. Of
-course, Mr Dovetail understood exactly what was going on. He was being
-told to fake proof of the Ickabogs existence. What terrified Mr
+Mr. Dovetail and Lord Spittleworth looked deep into each others eyes.
+Of course, Mr. Dovetail understood exactly what was going on. He was
+being told to fake proof of the Ickabogs existence. What terrified Mr.
 Dovetail was that he couldnt imagine why Spittleworth would ever let
 him go, after hed created the fake monsters foot, in case he talked
 about what hed done.
 
-Do you swear, my lord, said Mr Dovetail quietly, do you *swear* that
+Do you swear, my lord, said Mr. Dovetail quietly, do you *swear* that
 if I do this, my daughter wont be harmed? And that Ill be permitted to
 go home to her?
 
@@ -3213,11 +3218,11 @@
 the means to dig themselves out, can we? Good luck, Dovetail, and work
 hard. I look forward to seeing my foot!
 
-And with that, Roach cut the rope binding Mr Dovetails wrists, and
+And with that, Roach cut the rope binding Mr. Dovetails wrists, and
 rammed the torch he was carrying into a bracket on the wall. Then
-Spittleworth, Roach and the other soldiers left the cell. The iron door
-closed with a clang, a key turned in the lock, and Mr Dovetail was left
-alone with the enormous piece of wood, his chisels and his knives.
+Spittleworth, Roach, and the other soldiers left the cell. The iron door
+closed with a clang, a key turned in the lock, and Mr. Dovetail was left
+alone with the enormous piece of wood, his chisels, and his knives.
 :::
 
 Kidnapped
@@ -3227,10 +3232,9 @@
 When Daisy arrived home from school that afternoon, playing with her
 bandalore as she went, she headed as usual to her fathers workshop to
 tell him about her day. However, to her surprise, she found the workshop
-locked up. Assuming that Mr Dovetail had finished work early and was
+locked up. Assuming that Mr. Dovetail had finished work early and was
 back in the cottage, she walked in through the front door with her
-schoolbooks under her arm.
-
+schoolbooks under her arm.\
 Daisy stopped dead in the doorway, staring around. All the furniture was
 gone, as were the pictures on the walls, the rug on the floor, the
 lamps, and even the stove.
@@ -3248,8 +3252,8 @@
 instead. She felt the wagon lurch, and heard the jingling of a harness
 and trotting hooves as they began to move. By the turn that the wagon
 took, Daisy knew that they were heading out of the City-Within-The-City,
-and by the sounds of market traders and other horses, she realised they
-were moving into wider Chouxville. Though more frightened than shed
+and by the sounds of market traders and other horses, she realized they
+were moving out into wider Chouxville. Though more frightened than shed
 ever been in her life, Daisy nevertheless forced herself to concentrate
 on every turn, every sound, and every smell, so she could get some idea
 of where she was being taken.
@@ -3260,7 +3264,7 @@
 countryside.
 
 The man whod kidnapped Daisy was a large, rough member of the Ickabog
-Defence Brigade called Private Prodd. Spittleworth had told Prodd to
+Defense Brigade called Private Prodd. Spittleworth had told Prodd to
 get rid of the little Dovetail girl, and Prodd had understood
 Spittleworth to mean that he was to kill her. (Prodd was quite right to
 think this. Spittleworth had selected Prodd for the job of murdering
@@ -3273,8 +3277,8 @@
 to have a little niece around Daisys age, of whom he was very fond. In
 fact, every time he imagined himself strangling Daisy, he seemed to see
 his niece Rosie in his minds eye, pleading for her life. So instead of
-turning off the dirt track into the woods, Prodd drove the wagon
-onwards, racking his brains as to what to do with Daisy.
+turning off the dirt track into the woods, Prodd drove the wagon onward,
+racking his brains as to what to do with Daisy.
 
 Inside the flour sack, Daisy smelled the sausages of Baronstown mingling
 with the cheese fumes of Kurdsburg, and wondered which of the two she
@@ -3290,24 +3294,24 @@
 However, hard as she listened out for the sound of the horses hooves on
 the stone bridge over the Fluma that connected Baronstown and Kurdsburg,
 it never came, because instead of entering either city, Private Prodd
-passed them by. Hed just had a brainwave about what to do with Daisy.
-So, skirting the city of sausagemakers, he drove on north. Slowly, the
+passed them by. Hed just had a brain wave about what to do with Daisy.
+So, skirting the city of sausage makers, he drove on north. Slowly, the
 meat and cheese smells disappeared from the air and night began to fall.
 
 Private Prodd had remembered an old woman who lived on the outskirts of
 Jeroboam, which happened to be his hometown. Everyone called this old
-woman Ma Grunter. She took in orphans, and was paid one ducat a month
+woman Ma Grunter. She took in orphans, and was paid one Ducat a month
 for each child she had living with her. No boy or girl had ever
 succeeded in running away from Ma Grunters house, and it was this that
 made Prodd decide to take Daisy there. The last thing he wanted was
 Daisy finding her way back home to Chouxville, because Spittleworth was
 likely to be furious that Prodd hadnt done what he was told.
 
-Though so scared, cold and uncomfortable in the back of the wagon, the
+Though so scared, cold, and uncomfortable in the back of the wagon, the
 rocking had lulled Daisy to sleep, but suddenly she jerked awake again.
 She could smell something different on the air now, something she didnt
 much like, and after a while she identified it as wine fumes, which she
-recognised from the rare occasions when Mr Dovetail had a drink. They
+recognized from the rare occasions when Mr. Dovetail had a drink. They
 must be approaching Jeroboam, a city shed never visited. Through the
 small holes in the sack she could see daybreak. The wagon was soon
 jolting over cobblestones again, and after a while it came to a halt.
@@ -3315,36 +3319,35 @@
 At once, Daisy tried to wriggle out of the back of the wagon onto the
 ground, but before shed hit the street, Private Prodd seized her. Then
 he carried her, struggling, to the door of Ma Grunters, which he
-pounded with a heavy fist.
-
+pounded with a heavy fist.\
 All right, all right, Im coming, came a high, cracked voice from
 inside the house.
 
 There came the noise of many bolts and chains being removed and Ma
 Grunter was revealed in the doorway, leaning heavily on a silver-topped
-cane -- though, of course, Daisy, being still in the sack, couldnt see
+cane --- though, of course, Daisy, being still in the sack, couldnt see
 her.
 
 New child for you, Ma, said Prodd, carrying the wriggling sack into Ma
 Grunters hallway, which smelled of boiled cabbage and cheap wine.
 
 Now, you might think Ma Grunter would be alarmed to see a child in a
-sack carried into her house, but in fact, the kidnapped children of
+sack carried into her house, but, in fact, the kidnapped children of
 so-called traitors had found their way to her before. She didnt care
-what a childs story was; all she cared about was the one ducat a month
+what a childs story was; all she cared about was the one Ducat a month
 the authorities paid her for keeping them. The more children she packed
 into her tumbledown hovel, the more wine she could afford, which was
-really all she cared about. So she held out her hand and croaked, Five
-ducat placement fee, -- which was what she always asked for, if she
-could tell somebody really wanted to get rid of a child.
-
-Prodd scowled, handed over five ducats, and left without another word.
+really all she cared about. So she held out her hand and croaked:
+
+Five Ducat placement fee, which was what she always asked for, if she
+could tell somebody really wanted to get rid of a child.\
+Prodd scowled, handed over five Ducats, and left without another word.
 Ma Grunter slammed the door behind him.
 
 As he climbed back onto his wagon, Prodd heard the rattle of Ma
 Grunters chains and the scraping of her locks. Even if it had cost him
-half his months pay, Prodd was glad to have got rid of the problem of
-Daisy Dovetail, and he drove off as fast as he could, back to the
+half his months pay, Prodd was glad to have gotten rid of the problem
+of Daisy Dovetail, and he drove off as fast as he could, back to the
 capital.
 :::
 
@@ -3371,8 +3374,11 @@
 Ma Grunter suddenly swung her heavy, silver-handled cane at the boys
 head. Daisy expected to hear a horrible thud of silver on bone, but the
 boy ducked the cane neatly, as though hed had a lot of practice,
-cracked his knuckles again and said sullenly: Orl right, orl right. He
-disappeared up some rickety stairs.
+cracked his knuckles again, and said sullenly:
+
+Orl right, orl right.
+
+He disappeared up some rickety stairs.
 
 Whats your name? said Ma Grunter, turning back to Daisy.
 
@@ -3396,10 +3402,10 @@
 name without a fight, and she knew, before Daisy even opened her mouth,
 that the girl was going to be one of them. There was a nasty, proud look
 about the newcomer, and, while skinny, she looked strong, standing there
-in her overalls with her fists clenched.
+in her coveralls with her fists clenched.
 
 My name, said Daisy, is Daisy Dovetail. I was named after my mothers
-favourite flower.
+favorite flower.
 
 Your mother is dead, said Ma Grunter, because she always told the
 children in her care that their parents were dead. It was best if the
@@ -3413,6 +3419,7 @@
 The horrible old woman seemed to swim before Daisys eyes. Shed had
 nothing to eat since the previous lunchtime and had spent a night of
 terror on Prodds wagon. Nevertheless, she said in a cold, clear voice:
+
 My fathers alive. Im Daisy Dovetail, and my father lives in
 Chouxville.
 
@@ -3423,10 +3430,10 @@
 No, he isnt, said Ma Grunter, raising her cane. Your fathers as
 dead as a doornail and your name is Jane.
 
-My name--- began Daisy, but with a sudden *whoosh* , Ma Grunters cane
-came swinging at her head. Daisy ducked as shed seen the big boy do,
-but the cane swung back again, and this time it hit Daisy painfully on
-the ear, and knocked her sideways.
+My name --- began Daisy, but with a sudden *whoosh* , Ma Grunters
+cane came swinging at her head. Daisy ducked as shed seen the big boy
+do, but the cane swung back again, and this time it hit Daisy painfully
+on the ear, and knocked her sideways.
 
 Lets try that again, said Ma Grunter. Repeat after me. My father is
 dead and my name is Jane.
@@ -3465,35 +3472,35 @@
 It was also very dirty, but there was a small hole in the roof through
 which a shaft of sunlight fell. Daisy wriggled over to this and put her
 eye to it. Now she could see the skyline of Jeroboam. Unlike Chouxville,
-where the buildings were mostly sugar-white, this was a city of
-dark-grey stone. Two men were reeling along the street below, bellowing
-a popular drinking song.
+where the buildings were mostly sugar white, this was a city of dark
+gray stone. Two men were reeling along the street below, bellowing a
+popular drinking song.
 
 *I drank a single bottle and the Ickabogs a lie,*
 
 *I drank another bottle, and I thought I heard it sigh,*
 
-*And now Ive drunk another, I can see it slinking by,*
+*And now Ive drunk another, I can see it slinking by.*
 
 *The Ickabog is coming, so lets drink before we die!*
 
-Daisy sat with her eye pressed against the spyhole for an hour, until Ma
-Grunter came and banged on the hatch with her cane.
+Daisy sat with her eye pressed against the spy hole for an hour, until
+Ma Grunter came and banged on the hatch with her cane.
 
 What is your name?
 
 Daisy Dovetail! bellowed Daisy.
 
-And every hour afterwards, the question came, and the answer remained
-the same.
+And every hour afterward, the question came, and the answer remained the
+same.
 
 However, as the hours wore by, Daisy began to feel light-headed with
 hunger. Every time she shouted Daisy Dovetail back at Ma Grunter, her
-voice was weaker. At last, she saw through her spyhole in the attic that
-it was becoming dark. She was very thirsty now, and she had to face the
-fact that, if she kept refusing to say her name was Jane, there really
-might be a skeleton in the attic for Basher John to frighten other
-children with.
+voice was weaker. At last, she saw through her spy hole in the attic
+that it was becoming dark. She was very thirsty now, and she had to face
+the fact that, if she kept refusing to say her name was Jane, there
+really might be a skeleton in the attic for Basher John to frighten
+other children with.
 
 So the next time Ma Grunter banged on the attic hatch with her cane and
 asked what Daisys name was, she answered, Jane.
@@ -3508,8 +3515,10 @@
 ladder fell down. Come down here, Jane.
 
 When Daisy was standing beside her again, the old lady cuffed her around
-the ear. Thats for being a nasty, lying, filthy little brat. Now go
-and drink your soup, wash up the bowl, then get to bed.
+the ear.
+
+Thats for being a nasty, lying, filthy little brat. Now go and drink
+your soup, wash up the bowl, then get to bed.
 
 Daisy gulped down a small bowl of cabbage soup, which was the nastiest
 thing shed ever eaten, washed the bowl in the greasy barrel that Ma
@@ -3547,12 +3556,12 @@
 
 ::: {.entry-content}
 Back in Chouxville, Spittleworth made sure the story was circulated that
-the Dovetail family had packed up in the middle of the night, and moved
-to the neighbouring country of Pluritania. Daisys former teacher told
+the Dovetail family had packed up in the middle of the night and moved
+to the neighboring country of Pluritania. Daisys former teacher told
 her old classmates, and Cankerby the footman informed all the palace
 servants.
 
-After he got home from school that day, Bert went and lay on his bed,
+After he got home from school that day, Bert went and laid on his bed,
 staring up at the ceiling. He was thinking back to the days when hed
 been a small, plump boy whom the other children called Butterball, and
 how Daisy had always stuck up for him. He remembered their long-ago
@@ -3567,48 +3576,49 @@
 Roderick did: for instance, trying to hit stray dogs with catapults, or
 finding live frogs to hide in the girls satchels. In fact, the more he
 remembered the fun he used to have with Daisy, the more he thought about
-how his face ached from fake-smiling at the end of a day with Roderick,
+how his face ached from fake smiling at the end of a day with Roderick,
 and the more Bert regretted that hed never tried to repair his and
 Daisys friendship. But it was too late, now. Daisy was gone forever:
 gone to Pluritania.
 
-While Bert was lying on his bed, Mrs Beamish sat alone in the kitchen.
+While Bert was lying on his bed, Mrs. Beamish sat alone in the kitchen.
 She felt almost as bad as her son.
 
-Ever since shed done it, Mrs Beamish had regretted telling the scullery
-maid what Mr Dovetail had said about the Ickabog not being real. Shed
-been so angry at the suggestion that her husband might have fallen off
-his horse she hadnt realised she was reporting treason, until the words
-were out of her mouth and it was too late to call them back. She really
-hadnt wanted to get such an old friend into trouble, so shed begged
-the scullery maid to forget what shed said, and Mabel had agreed.
-
-Relieved, Mrs Beamish had turned around to take a large batch of
+Ever since shed done it, Mrs. Beamish had regretted telling the
+scullery maid what Mr. Dovetail had said about the Ickabog not being
+real. Shed been so angry at the suggestion that her husband might have
+fallen off his horse she hadnt realized she was reporting treason,
+until the words were out of her mouth and it was too late to call them
+back. She really hadnt wanted to get such an old friend into trouble,
+so shed begged the scullery maid to forget what shed said, and Mabel
+had agreed.
+
+Relieved, Mrs. Beamish had turned around to take a large batch of
 Maidens Dreams out of the oven, then spotted Cankerby, the footman,
 skulking in the corner. Cankerby was known to everyone who worked at the
 palace as a sneak and a tattletale. He had a knack of arriving
-noiselessly in rooms, and peeping unnoticed through keyholes. Mrs
+noiselessly in rooms, and peeping unnoticed through keyholes. Mrs.
 Beamish didnt dare ask Cankerby how long hed been standing there, but
 now, sitting alone at her own kitchen table, a terrible fear gripped her
-heart. Had news of Mr Dovetails treason been carried by Cankerby to
-Lord Spittleworth? Was it possible that Mr Dovetail had gone, not to
+heart. Had news of Mr. Dovetails treason been carried by Cankerby to
+Lord Spittleworth? Was it possible that Mr. Dovetail had gone, not to
 Pluritania, but to prison?
 
 The longer she thought about it, the more frightened she became, until
-finally, Mrs Beamish called out to Bert that she was going for an
+finally, Mrs. Beamish called out to Bert that she was going for an
 evening stroll, and hurried from the house.
 
-There were still children playing in the streets, and Mrs Beamish wound
+There were still children playing in the streets, and Mrs. Beamish wound
 her way in and out of them until she reached the small cottage that lay
 between the City-Within-The-City gates and the graveyard. The windows
-were dark and the workshop locked up, but when Mrs Beamish gave the
+were dark and the workshop locked up, but when Mrs. Beamish gave the
 front door a gentle push, it opened.
 
-All the furniture was gone, right down to the pictures on the walls. Mrs
-Beamish let out a long, slow sigh of relief. If theyd slung Mr Dovetail
-in jail, theyd hardly have put all his furniture in there with him. It
-really did look as though hed packed up and taken Daisy off to
-Pluritania. Mrs Beamish felt a little easier in her mind as she walked
+All the furniture was gone, right down to the pictures on the walls.
+Mrs. Beamish let out a long, slow sigh of relief. If theyd slung Mr.
+Dovetail in jail, theyd hardly have put all his furniture in there with
+him. It really did look as though hed packed up and taken Daisy off to
+Pluritania. Mrs. Beamish felt a little easier in her mind as she walked
 back through the City-Within-The-City.
 
 Some little girls were jumping rope in the road up ahead, chanting a
@@ -3618,36 +3628,36 @@
 
 *Ickabog, Ickabog, so skip until you flop,*
 
-*Never look back if you feel squeamish,*
-
-*Cause hes caught a soldier called Major---*
-
-One of the little girls turning the rope for her friend spotted Mrs
-Beamish, let out a squeal and dropped her end. The other little girls
-turned, too, and, seeing the pastry chef, all of them turned red. One
-let out a terrified giggle and another burst into tears.
-
-Its all right, girls, said Mrs Beamish, trying to smile. It doesnt
+*Never look back if you feel squeamish*
+
+*Cause hes caught a soldier called Major ---*
+
+One of the little girls turning the rope for her friend spotted Mrs.
+Beamish, let out a squeal, and dropped her end. The other little girls
+turned too, and, seeing the pastry chef, all of them turned red. One let
+out a terrified giggle and another burst into tears.
+
+Its all right, girls, said Mrs. Beamish, trying to smile. It doesnt
 matter.
 
-The children remained quite still as she passed them, until suddenly Mrs
-Beamish turned to look again at the girl whod dropped the end of the
-skipping rope.
-
-Where, asked Mrs Beamish, did you get that dress?
-
-The scarlet-faced little girl looked down at it, then back up at Mrs
+The children remained quite still as she passed them, until suddenly
+Mrs. Beamish turned to look again at the girl whod dropped the end of
+the skipping rope.
+
+Where, asked Mrs. Beamish, did you get that dress?
+
+The scarlet-faced little girl looked down at it, then back up at Mrs.
 Beamish.
 
 My daddy gave it to me, missus, said the girl. When he come home from
 work yesterday. And he gave my brother a bandalore.
 
-After staring at the dress for a few more seconds, Mrs Beamish turned
+After staring at the dress for a few more seconds, Mrs. Beamish turned
 slowly away and walked on home. She told herself she must be mistaken,
 but she was sure she could remember Daisy Dovetail wearing a beautiful
-little dress exactly like that -- sunshine yellow, with daisies
-embroidered around the neck and cuffs -- back when her mother was alive,
-and made all Daisys clothes.
+little dress exactly like that --- sunshine yellow, with daisies
+embroidered around the neck and cuffs --- back when her mother was
+alive, and made all Daisys clothes.
 :::
 
 The Foot