# II: Won’t I, Just? explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by George MacDonald.

## What happens

The king forgets to invite his sister, Princess Makemnoit, to the infant's christening. She is a witch and attends uninvited, casting a curse on the baby during the ceremony that makes the child light of body and spirit, causing the nurse to feel as if she cannot hold the baby.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Sacrificial Love

The king's forgetfulness of his sister highlights familial neglect, while the curse targets the parents' heart.

### Vanity and Self-Conceit

Princess Makemnoit's spite and self-love drive her to take revenge for being forgotten.

## Character check-ins

### The Princess

The infant being christened, who laughs and crows after the curse is cast.

### Watho

Identified as Princess Makemnoit, the king's sister and a witch who casts a curse on the baby.

## Key lines

> Light of spirit, by my charms, Light of body, every part, Never weary human arms— Only crush thy parents’ heart!

The curse makes the child light and airy, never tiring to hold, but destined to break the parents' hearts.

_The witch's curse spoken at the christening._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/ii-won-t-i-just
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters