As she spoke, she took from beneath her faded cloak a basket in which were delicate white cakes, fruits, and honey. These she began to eat with great relish, apparently not at all interested in the Prince or his family.
"Come, now," cried he, "give me some of that! My Court is half dead."
"Really?" she returned, coolly munching away.
"Yes," shouted Vance, vainly attempting to snatch something from the well-filled basket, "and I must have a cake to feed them on."
The old lady made no resistance, but only flitted up like a bird, in some unaccountable way, to a limb of a tree, where she sat eating as placidly as ever.
"Goodness!" said poor Vance, startled half out of his wits, "are you Godmother too? You shy about just like her."
"She is a friend of mine," answered the old woman. "I know all about you, too, for that matter."
There was nothing left for Vance but to beg for pity, and at last the strange creature threw him down half a small cake.
"There's plenty for your family."
Vance provided for his little people, and then began humbly to beg for a few morsels for himself.