witcheshadtoldoneanotheralltheyhadtosay,soeachwentherownway.Theprincessjumpedfromthetreeandsetoutinthedawnforthecity.Atthefirstsecondhanddealersshecameto,sheboughtanolddoctorsgownandapairofspectacles,andknockedattheroyalpalace.Seeingthelittledoctorwithsuchscantparaphernalia,theservantswerentgoingtolethimin,butthekingsaid,"Whatharmcouldhedomysonwhocantbeanyworseoffthanheisnow?Lethimseewhathecando."Theshamdoctoraskedtobeleftalonewiththesickman,andtherequestwasgranted.
Findingherlovergroaningandunconsciousinhissickbed,theprincessfeltlikeweepingandsmotheringhimwithkisses.Butsherestrainedherselfbecauseoftheurgencyofcarryingoutthewitchsdirections.Shepacedupanddowntheroomuntilshesteppedonaloosetile,whichsheraisedanddiscoveredaphialofointment.Withitsherubbedtheprinceswounds,andnosoonerhadshetouchedeachonewithointmentthanthewounddisappearedcompletely.Overjoyedshecalledtheking,whocameinandsawhissonsleepingpeacefully,withthecolorbackinhischeeks,andnotraceofanyofthewounds.
"Askforwhateveryoulike,doctor,"saidtheking."Allthewealthinthekingdomisyours."
"Iwishnomoney,"repliedthedoctor."Justgivemetheprincesshieldbearingthefamilycoat-of-arms,hisstandard,andhisyellowvestthatwasrentandbloodied."Uponreceivingthethreeitems,shetookherleave.
Threedayslater,thekingssonwasagainouthunting.Hepassedthecastleintheheartoftheforest,butdidntdeigntolookupattheprincessswindow.Sheimmediatelypickedupthebook,leafedthroughit,andtheprincehadnochoicebutchangeintoacanary.Heflewintotheroom,andtheprincessturnedhimbackintoaman."Letmego,"hesaid."Isntitenoughtohavepiercedmewiththosepinsofyoursandcausedmesomuchagony?"Theprince,intruth,nolongerlovedthegirl,blamingherforhismisfortune.
Onthevergeoffainting,sheexclaimed,"ButIsavedyourlife!Iamtheonewhocuredyou!"
"Thatsnotso,"saidtheprince."Mylifewassavedbyaforeigndoctorwhoaskedfornorecompenseexceptmycoat-of-arms,mystandard,andmybloodiedvest!"
"Hereareyourcoat-of-arms,yourstandard,andyourvest!Thedoctorwasnoneotherthanmyself!Thepinswerethecrueldoingofmystepmother!"
Thep
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