"'And it's a bad thing to be light-haired," screamed she, determined to have more last words, now that her spirit was roused.
"The queen's hair was black as night; and the king's had been, and his daughter's was golden as morning. But it was not this reflection on his hair that troubled him; it was the doubled use of the word light. For the king hated all witticisms, and punning especially. And besides he could not tell whether the queen meant light-haired or light-heired; for why might she not aspirate her vowels when she was ex-asperated herself?"
"He turned upon his other heel, and rejoined her. She looked angry still, because she knew that she was guilty, or, what was much the same, knew that he thought so.
"'My dear queen,' said he, 'duplicity of any sort is exceedingly objectionable between married people, of any rank, not to say kings and queens; and the most objectionable form it can assume is that of punning.'
"'There!' said the queen, 'I never made a jest, but I broke it in the making. I am the most unfortunate woman in the world!'
"She looked so rueful, that the king took her in his arms; and they sat down to consult.
"'Can you bear this?' said the king.
"'No I can't,' said the queen.
"'Well, what is to be done?' said the king.
"'I'm sure I don't know,' said the queen. 'But might you not try an apology?'