“I did,” answered the tsarina.
The tsar protested, saying: “How have you dared do so? Did I not tell you that you are no longer my wife?”
Instead of answering the tsarina produced the parchment containing the tsar’s promise and he could not find a word to say.
He could not find a word to say
Then the tsarina said: “As you see, you promised that should I be banished from your palace I should be at liberty to take with me that which I liked best!”
Hearing this, the tsar’s love for his spouse returned, he took her in his arms, and they returned to the palace together.
XIII. Good Deeds Never Perish
Once upon a time there lived a man and woman who had one son. When the boy grew up his parents endeavoured to give him a suitable education which would be useful in his after life. He was a good, quiet boy, and above all he feared God. After he had completed his studies, his father intrusted him with a galley laden with various goods, so that he might trade with distant countries, and be the support of his parents’ old age.