"But my temper and I are one," answered the Princess, harshly, as she
stamped her foot.

"Surely that is not so," returned the young man, "for certainly I love
you, while your temper I do not like a bit. Don't you think you could
love me?"

"Perhaps I might, if you could cure my bad temper; but my temper will
not allow me to love any one. In fact, I believe that unless you go
away at once I shall be obliged to box your ears!"

There seemed to be no help for her, so Timtom left the room sadly, and
going to the King, told him what she had said.

"Then that is the end of the matter," declared the King, "for no one
can cure Pattycake of her bad temper."

"I am resolved to try, nevertheless," replied Timtom, "and, if I
succeed, you must give me the Princess in marriage."

"I will, and my blessing into the bargain," answered the King,
heartily.

Then Timtom left the court, and went back to his father's house, where
he thought on the problem for a week and a day. At the end of that time
he was no nearer solving it than he was before; but his mother, who had
noticed that her boy was in trouble, now came to him to ask the cause
of his sad looks. Timtom told her all about the Princess Pattycake, and
of his love for her, and the evil temper that would not be cured.