and had had next to nothing to eat, when he came upon the strangest
little house, inhabited by a very nice, tidy, motherly old woman.
This was one of the good fairies. The moment she saw him she knew quite
well who he was and what was going to come of it; but she was not at
liberty to interfere with the orderly march of events. She received
him with the kindness she would have shown to any other traveller,
and gave him bread and milk, which he thought the most delicious food
he had ever tasted, wondering that they did not have it for dinner at
the palace sometimes. The old woman pressed him to stay all night.
When he awoke he was amazed to find how well and strong he felt.
She would not take any of the money he offered, but begged him,
if he found occasion of continuing in the neighbourhood, to return
and occupy the same quarters.

"Thank you much, good mother," answered the prince; "but there is
little chance of that. The sooner I get out of this wood the better."

"I don't know that," said the fairy.

"What do you mean?" asked the prince.

"Why, how should I know?" returned she.

"I can't tell," said the prince.

"Very well," said the fairy.

"How strangely you talk!" said the prince.

"Do I?" said the fairy.