d not cry long, however, for she was as brave as could be
expected of a princess of her age. After a good cry, she got up, and
brushed the dust from her frock. Oh, what old dust it was! Then she
wiped her eyes with her hands, for princesses don't always have their
handkerchiefs in their pockets, any more than some other little girls I
know of. Next, like a true princess, she resolved on going wisely to
work to find her way back: she would walk through the passages, and
look in every direction for the stair. This she did, but without
success. She went over the same ground again an again without knowing
it, for the passages and doors were all alike. At last, in a corner,
through a half-open door, she did see a stair. But alas! it went the
wrong way: instead of going down, it went up. Frightened as she was,
however, she could not help wishing to see where yet further the stair
could lead. It was very narrow, and so steep that she went on like a
four-legged creature on her hands and feet.

CHAPTER 3

The Princess and--We Shall See Who

When she came to the top, she found herself in a little square place,
with three doors, two opposite each other, and one opposite the top of
the stair. She stood for a moment, without an idea in her little head
what to do next. But as she stood, she began to hear a curious humming
sound. Could it be the rain? No. It was much more gentle, and even
monotonous than the sound of the rain, which now she scarcely heard.
The low sweet humming sound went on, sometimes stopping for a little
while and then beginning again. It was more like the hum of a very
happy bee that had found a rich well of honey in some globular flower,
than anything else I can think of at this moment. Where could it come
from? She laid her ear first to one of the doors to hearken if it was
there--then to another. When she laid her ear against the third door,
there could be no doubt where it came from: it must be from something
in that room. What could it be? She was rather afraid, but her
curiosity was stronger than her fear, and she opened the door very
gently and peeped in. What do you think she saw? A very old lady who
sat spinning.

Perhaps you will wonder how the princess could tell that the old lady
was an old lady, when I inform you that not only was she beautiful, but
her skin was smooth and white. I will tell you more. Her hair was
combed back from her forehead and face, and hung loose fa