“Come, lazybones!” cried the Queen. “Here is something to give work to your idle fingers. Take these silks and separate them from each other, winding each color into a skein by itself. See that not a thread of it is broken, and do you have the task done before to-morrow, or else you shall suffer for it.”
“Alas, Madam!” cried the poor Princess. “You know that this is an impossible thing to do.”
“That is your concern,” cried Grognon harshly. “But this I will tell you; if you are too lazy and obstinate to do as I bid you, it is only right and proper that you should be punished.”
So saying, she gave Graciosa a push so violent that it almost threw her upon the floor and went on out, locking the door behind her.
Left alone, Graciosa took up the mass of silk and with careful fingers began to try to separate the strands, but hardly could she touch them before they broke, and she soon found the task was indeed impossible.
In despair she threw aside the silks and burst into tears.
“Alas! Alas! My sorrows are well deserved,” wept the poor Princess. “Had I but listened to Percinet and to the fairy’s warnings, I might even now be safe and happy in her palace with Percinet for my companion.”
Hardly had she spoken thus when the Prince himself stood before her.
“Ah, Graciosa,” said he, “are you perhaps beginning to learn at last the worth of my affection? You have indeed brought this sorrow on yourself, but I love you too dearly to be willing to see you suffer.”
He then struck the silk three times with a silver wand he carried. Immediately the tangles and knots were smoothed away, the different colors separated themselves one from another, and broken ends rejoined. In less time than it takes to tell, the task was done, and the different silks lay smoothly wound and side by side upon the table.