"No matter," said Bertha. "I will have one made on purpose."
"You!" answered one of the sisters. "Shall we have a dwarf to reign over us?"
"What has my stature to do with my lawful right to the crown?" quoth the elder. "Think you that I am an idiot as well as a dwarf? Have I not abilities equal to yours—nay, superior. Come, don't let me hear any more of this silly bickering, or I shall find means to punish you both."
These big words, proceeding from such a small body, and from one, too, who had never showed herself of an imperious disposition, but had hitherto allowed herself to be trampled upon and set at nought by them without a murmur, half-startled the twin sisters, and half-provoked their mirth.
They were enraged at such words being used towards them by one whom they thought fit to despise, and knew not what to answer, so they only looked at one another.
Now, there was something in that look which told Bertha that her sisters would make very little to-do about silencing her for ever, if she did not remain quiet; and being so small a personage, to murder her and conceal the murder would be a matter of small difficulty, so she prudently withdrew. But no time was to be lost; one of her sisters might be proclaimed queen if she did not engage the people on her side. So, wending her tiny steps to the foot of the palace stairs, she hid herself behind the hall door.
Now, in the hall were two serving men, who were discussing as to which of the twin sisters should wear the crown.
"Of course," said one, "the poor little dwarf princess won't have a chance."
"Why not?" said the other. "She is the firstborn."
"True," said the first; "if she had her rights, but you'll find that some day she will be found missing, and not likely to turn up again."