gathered the girls and women, and their knees were weak with fear. One

by one they were led before him, and stood before him with bowed

heads. Then he would bid them be of good cheer, and speak softly to

them, and in the end would ask them this question: "Hast thou, my

Now, some would say that they had a cat, and some would say that they

had none, and some would stand still and make no answer, being dumb

with fear. But, whatever they said, the end was the same, for the king

would sigh gently and say: "Fare thee well, my sister; it is