A great bunch of keys hung from the girdle of the wizard, who was busily stirring something which was bubbling over the fire in a big black pot, from which came the smoke that the Rainbow Cat had noticed pouring from the chimney.
The firelight shone on the labels of the keys, so that the Rainbow Cat was able to read what was written on them.
“Gold Chest—Silver Chest—Jewel Chest—Giantess’s Room—Prisoners’ Room—Giantess’s Garden”: these were some of the names he read on the labels, and he began to understand things a little better. But he thought he would make a few more investigations. So he picked up his little bag and walked softly off to the other end of the castle, sat down on the ground at the foot of the tower there, and again bathed his eyes with fairy water.
This time he found himself looking into a big room full of children.
They were all very busy.
Some of them were sorting strange-looking herbs, some of them were grinding queer substances with heavy stones, some of them were anxiously measuring out liquids drop by drop from one bottle into another.
They all looked pale and tired; they did not laugh and talk over their work as one would expect children to do.
And then the door of the room opened and in walked—who but the giantess herself!
But imagine the surprise of the Rainbow Cat upon discovering that, although she was indeed immensely tall, she was otherwise by no means a terrible-looking person, but had, on the contrary, a sweet and charming face and beautiful golden hair.
The children all came running up to her as soon as she appeared, and seemed delighted to see her. She bent down and lifted some of them up into her arms, and was so gentle and sweet with them all that it was a joy to see her.