oom, he spat
it out again, and then went to bed.

Betta now began the same tune again, saying how she had kneaded him
with her own hands of sugar and almonds, how she had made his hair of
gold, and his eyes and mouth of pearls and precious stones, and how he
was indebted to her for his life, which the gods had granted to her
prayers, and lastly how he had been stolen from her, and she had gone
seeking him with such toil and trouble. Then she went on to tell him
how she had watched two nights at the door of his room, and for leave
to do so had given up two treasures, and yet had not been able to hear
a single word from him, so that this was the last night of her hopes
and the conclusion of her life.

When Pintosmalto, who had remained awake, heard these words, and called
to mind as a dream all that had passed, he rose and embraced her; and
as Night had just come forth with her black mask to direct the dance of
the Stars, he went very quietly into the chamber of the Queen, who was
in a deep sleep, and took from her all the things that she had taken
from Betta, and all the jewels and money which were in a desk, to repay
himself for his past troubles. Then returning to his wife, they set off
that very hour, and travelled on and on until they arrived at her
father's house, where they found him alive and well; and from the joy
of seeing his daughter again he became like a boy of fifteen years. But
when the Queen found neither Pintosmalto, nor beggar-girl, nor jewels,
she tore her hair and rent her clothes, and called to mind the saying--

"He who cheats must not complain if he be cheated."

XXVIII

THE GOLDEN ROOT

A person who is over-curious, and wants to know more than he ought,
always carries the match in his hand to set fire to the powder-room of
his own fortunes; and he who pries into others' affairs is frequently a
loser in his own; for generally he who digs holes to search for
treasures, comes to a ditch into which he himself falls--as happened to
the daughter of a gardener in the following manner.

There was once a gardener who was so very very poor that, however hard
he worked, he could not manage to get bread for his family. So he gave
three little pigs to his three daughters, that they might rear them,
and thus get something for a little dowry. Then Pascuzza and Cice, who
were the eldest, drove their little pigs to feed in a beautiful meadow;
but they would not let Parmetella, who was the youngest