“But how—,” began the Princess.
“Never mind how,” interrupted her father, and then they both laughed so merrily that all the canary birds in the kingdom began to sing.
The very next day the King of Forgotten Land issued a proclamation which set all the people to talking.
Among those who read the copy that was posted outside the palace gates was a maiden known as Little Sister Kindness.
“So the Princess is to be married one month from today,” she exclaimed. Then, turning, she saw a blind man standing by, who had no one with him to tell him what the King’s message contained.
Little Sister Kindness stepped to his side, and explained to him the contents of the proclamation.
“The Princess Tender-heart is to be married,” she said, “and instead of having her wedding garments made by the court dressmaker, the King wishes everyone who loves the Princess to come to the palace and help make her clothes. To the one whose work proves that she loves the Princess best, shall be given the finest gift house of the five hundred and forty-three presented by the Prince of Bye-and-Bye.”
“I beg you to tell me more,” urged the blind man. “My daughter is a dressmaker. How shall it be known who best loves the Princess?”
“How fortunate that your daughter is a dressmaker!” exclaimed Little Sister Kindness. “I wish that I were a dressmaker, too. The King announces that by examining the wardrobe when it is completed he will know at a glance who best loves Her Royal Highness. Everyone adores the Princess, so only by magic will the King know who loves her best.”
“I thank you,” the blind man said with a low bow. “I must hasten now to tell my daughter this good news.”