"But I will never marry him," said the princess.
"Do what I tell you," said the cat. "When he asks you to marry him, say to him you will if his dwarfs will wind for you three balls from the fairy dew that lies on the bushes on a misty morning as big as these," said the cat, putting his right forefoot into his ear and taking out three balls—one yellow, one red, and one blue.
"They are very small," said the princess. "They are not much bigger than peas, and the dwarfs will not be long at their work."
"Won't they," said the cat. "It will take them a month and a day to make one, so that it will take three months and three days before the balls are wound; but the giant, like you, will think they can be made in a few days, and so he will readily promise to do what you ask. He will soon find out his mistake, but he will keep his word, and will not press you to marry him until the balls are wound."
"When will the giant come back?" asked Eileen.
"He will return to-morrow afternoon," said the cat.
"Will you stay with me until then?" said the princess. "I am very lonely."
"I cannot stay," said the cat. "I have to go away to my palace on the island on which no man ever placed his foot, and where no man but one shall ever come."
"And where is that island?" asked the princess, "and who is the man?"