392 THE WHITE CAT,

Either make yourself a lady or make me acat.” She smiled at
the prince's wish, but made him scarcely any reply. At length
the twelvemonth was nearly expired ; the white cat, who knew
the very day-when the prince was to reach his father’s palace,
reminded him that he had but three days longer to look for a
perfect little dog. ‘The prince, astonished at his own forgetfal-
ness, began to afflict himself; when the cat told him not to be
so sorrowful, since she would not only provide him with a little
dog, but also with a wooden horse which should convey him
safely in less than twelve hours. ‘ Look here,” said she,
showing him an acorn, “this contains what you desire.” The
prince put the acorn to his ear, and heard the barking of a
little dog. Transported with joy, he thanked the cat a thou-
sand times, and the next day, bidding her tenderly adieu, he set
out on his return.

The prince arrived first at the place of rendezvous, and was
soon joined by his brothers ; they mutually embraced, and
began to give an account of their success ; when the youngest
showed them only a little mongrel cur, telling them that he
thought it could not fail to please the king from its extraordinary
beauty. The brothers trod on each other’s toes under the table;
as much as to say, we have not much to fear from this sorry-
looking animal. The next day they went together to the palace.
The dogs of the two elder brothers were lying on cushions, and
so curiously wrapped around with embroidered quilts, that one
would scarcely venture to touch them. The youngest produced
his cur dirty all over, and all wondered how the prince could
hope to receive a crown for such a present. The king examined
the two little dogs of the elder princes, and declared he thought
them so equally beautiful that he knew not to which, with
Justice, he could give the preference. They accordingly began
to dispute; when the youngest prince, taking his acorn from