Speechless with astonishment, he suffered himself to be conducted up the grand staircase and into the reception room. The eldest child brought a chair, which it presented with deep obeisance; the second spread a serviette upon his knee; while the tiny one, kneeling, proffered a golden tray upon which was a costly plate. Upon the plate were some pears, and a spoon lay beside the plate.
The surprise of the prince continued to grow; but, commanding himself and wondering if he could be dreaming, he asked, “Should pears be eaten with a spoon?”
Whereupon all the children made answer in chorus: “Should one believe that a loving mother would eat her own children?”
At this answer the prince became dumb. [[155]]
“Look!” they continued. “We are all your children. And this is our mother, who loves us.”
At that moment the fairy prince appeared and said: “Ai, my prince! may your eyes become luminous! This is, indeed, your princess. And these are your children.”
When he had said this, the children threw themselves upon their father’s neck. Then the princess came forward and embraced her lord. And to the very depths of their souls were these five persons happy.
When their rapture had become somewhat calm, the fairy prince again approached and, making obeisance, said: “I am your slave. Long ago I was purchased for the princess, with her own money. Before that time I had been very wicked. My own mother, the queen of the fairies, had cursed me. As a consequence, I was thrown into this condition. I beg your royal pardon for all I have unwittingly caused you to suffer.
“Now, if it be your good pleasure, and if you, graciously, will grant permission, I will return to my own country and seek out my own father and my mother. Perchance they may care to see me once more.”
“Since these later acts were not your immediate fault,” replied the prince, “you have the gracious [[156]]permission of my princess and myself. Go in peace and refrain from future evil-doing!”