“Very interesting, indeed,” said the mistress of the household. “But you
must not betray me, for I am the emperor’s daughter.”
“Of course not,” they all said.
The swineherd-that is to say, the prince-but they did not know otherwise
than that he was a real swineherd-did not waste a single day without doing
something; he made a rattle, which, when turned quickly round, played all
the waltzes, galops, and polkas known since the creation of the world.
“But that is superbe,” said the princess passing by. “I have never heard a
more beautiful composition. Go down and ask him what the instrument
costs; but I shall not kiss him again.”
“He will have a hundred kisses from the princess,” said the lady, who had
gone down to ask him.
“I believe he is mad,” said the princess, and walked off, but soon she
stopped. “One must encourage art,” she said. “I am the emperor’s daughter!
Tell him I will give him ten kisses, as I did the other day; the remainder one
of my ladies can give him.”
“But we do not like to kiss him” said the ladies.
“That is nonsense,” said the princess; “if I can kiss him, you can also do
it. Remember that I give you food and employment.” And the lady had to
go down once more.
“A hundred kisses from the princess,” said the swineherd, “or everybody
keeps his own.”
“Place yourselves before me,” said the princess then. They did as they
were bidden, and the princess kissed him.
“I wonder what that crowd near the pigsty means!” said the emperor, who
had just come out on his balcony. He rubbed his eyes and put his spectacles
on.
“The ladies of the court are up to some mischief, I think. I shall have to
go down and see.” He pulled up his shoes, for they were down at the heels,
