THE
WHITE
CAT

the middle of the night she was suddenly aroused,
and saw to her astonishment a little, ugly, old
woman at her bedside, who was plucking at her
ear.
‘The queen, my mother, sat up in bed very fright-
ened; then the old woman said to her: “ You are
a very tiresome, persevering, and meddlesome
person, not to leave me and my sisters alone in
our palace, but to insist on eating our fruit. I will
give you as much of the latter as you desire, on
one condition, which is that you let us have your
daughter to bring up as our own?”
‘The queen, my mother, answered, “ Dear madam,
is there nothing else you will have ? I can give you
most admirable receipts for making conserves of
your fruit, and even for pickling the walnuts. Will
not that do as well? If not, you shall have half of
the kingdoms my husband reigns over.”
‘The fairy answered: “We want neither your
receipts nor your realms; we will have nothing
else but your little daughter. We will make her
as happy as the day is long, and give her every-
thing her heart can desire.”
‘“Tt is a hard condition,” said the queen, my
mother, but inasmuch as she was an exceedingly
inquisitive and—it must be admitted —a greedy
woman, she at last consented.
‘Then the old fairy took her into the palace, and
though it was still night, the queen, my mother,
could plainly see that it was more magnificent
than anything she had ever beheld. But my dear
Prince,’ said the White Cat, ‘of this you can judge
yourself, for you are now in the very palace into
which my mother was introduced.
‘The old fairy said toher: “Wéill you gather the
fruit yourself, or shall I call it to come to you ?”
‘My mother answered that it would be less trouble
and more interesting if it came when called.
‘Thereupon the little old woman screamed out:
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