Now my heart, my heart is sair.
What’s the good, though I be fair,
For thou’lt never see me mair,
Man Johnnie!”
While the apple-woman sang Mopsa finished her story; and the Queen untied the fastening which held her carpet to the boat, and went floating upon it down the river.
“Good-bye,” she said, kissing her hand to them. “I must go and prepare for the deputation.”
So Jack and Mopsa played about all the morning, sometimes in the boat and sometimes on the shore, while the apple-woman sat on the grass, with her arms folded, and seemed to be lost in thought. At last she said to Jack, “What was the name of the great bird that carried you two here?”
“I have forgotten,” answered Jack. “I’ve been trying to remember ever since we heard the Queen tell her first story, but I cannot.”
“I remember,” said Mopsa.
“Tell it, then,” replied the apple-woman; but Mopsa shook her head.