"But I would look at it," said the princess.

"But you couldn't," said the prince.

"But I could," said the princess.

"Why don't you, then?"

"Because I can't."

"Why can't you?"

"Because I can't wake. And I never shall wake until----"

Here she hid her face in her hands, turned away, and walked in
the slowest, stateliest manner towards the house. The prince ventured
to follow her at a little distance, but she turned and made a repellent
gesture, which, like a true gentleman-prince, he obeyed at once.
He waited a long time, but as she did not come near him again, and as
the night had now cleared, he set off at last for the old woman's cottage.

It was long past midnight when he reached it, but, to his surprise,
the old woman was paring potatoes at the door. Fairies are fond
of doing odd things. Indeed, however they may dissemble, the night
is always their day. And so it is with all who have fairy blood
in them.

"Why, what are you doing there, this time of the night, mother?"
said the prince; for that was the kind way in which any young man
in his country would address a woman who was much older than himself.