At last Crafticus arose and said—"I can't stand this any longer. I can't get any sleep, and I shall be quite unfit for the king's chase." Then turning to the goose he cried—"Wretch, you have provoked me to kill you, and you have yourself to blame"; and having said this, he seized Stupidify by the neck and killed her.
Purrier now sprang from his bed and leaped into the box beside Crafticus, and they had a right royal feast together. They chatted and laughed, and Purrier told what he said to the goose when he met her and walked with her towards the barn.
"You have done well, Purrier, and I'll never forget you."
"Oh, my part was nothing," replied he, "it was your own wise head that planned the whole trick. And when your case comes again before the king, I am sure it can't be broken."
"Thank you sincerely," rejoined Crafticus. "I shall now get back to my dear, sorrowing wife and children."
*****
Two days afterwards, the fox stood again before the king.
"Crafticus," said the counsellor, with a grave face, "you are charged this time with wilfully killing Stupidify, the king's fat goose. Now what have you to say for yourself?"
Then Crafticus told the whole story of his provocation in a persuasive, modest manner, and he finished by saying—
"Purrier, if I mistake not, was present at the time, and, if so, he will be able to support every word I have spoken."