"Heaven reward the person who has warmed our room so nicely, and prepared such an excellent repast for us;" and hereupon each took his silver spoon in order to begin eating. But when each prince had taken his own, there was still one remaining, so like the others that they could not distinguish it. Then the princes looked at each other, and were very much astonished.
"That must be our sister's spoon," said they; "and since the spoon is here, she herself cannot be far off."
"If it is our sister, and if she is here," said the eldest, "she shall be killed, for she is the cause of our misfortune."
"Nay," said the youngest, "it would be a sin to kill her; she is not guilty of what we suffer; if any one is in fault, it is no other than our own mother."
Then they all began to search high and low, and at last they looked under all the beds, and when they came to the bed of the youngest prince, they found the princess, and drew her from under it.
The eldest prince was now again for killing her, but she entreated them earnestly to spare her life, and said, "Ah, do not kill me; I have wandered about so long seeking for you, and I would willingly give my life if that would disenchant you."
"Nay, but if you will disenchant us," said they, "we will spare your life; for you can do it if you will."
"Indeed; only tell me then what I am to do, for I will do anything you wish," said the princess.
"You must collect the down of the dandelion flowers, and you must card, and spin, and weave it; and of that material you must cut out and make twelve caps, and twelve shirts, and twelve cravats, a set for each of us; but during the time that you are occupied in doing so, you must neither speak, nor weep, nor smile. If you can do that, we shall be disenchanted."
"But where shall I be able to find sufficient down for all the caps, and shirts, and cravats?" asked she.