both because he was afraid of seeming inquisitive, and because the cook
did not choose to be heard talking about her mistress to a peasant
lad who had begged for his breakfast.

As he rose to take his leave, it occurred to him that he might
not be so far from the old woman's cottage as he had thought,
and he asked the cook whether she knew anything of such a place,
describing it as well as he could. She said she knew it well enough,
adding with a smile--

"It's there you're going, is it?"

"Yes, if it's not far off."

"It's not more than three miles. But mind what you are about,
you know."

"Why do you say that?"

"If you're after any mischief, she'll make you repent it."

"The best thing that could happen under the circumstances,"
remarked the prince.

"What do you mean by that?" asked the cook.

"Why, it stands to reason," answered the prince "that if you wish
to do anything wrong, the best thing for you is to be made to repent
of it."