Stuff and nonsense, said the King; shes only a maid, besides its more my affair than yours.
When the show was over, it was late at night. Its no good your going away, when its so late, said the King. The bear had best sleep here.
Perhaps it might sleep in the ingle by the kitchen fire, said the captain.
Nay, said the King, it shall sleep up here, and it shall have pillows and cushions to sleep on. So a whole heap of pillows and cushions was brought, and the captain had a bed in a side room.
But at midnight the King came with a lamp in his hand and a big bunch of keys, and carried off the white bear. He passed along gallery after gallery through doors and rooms, up-stairs and down-stairs, till at last he came to a pier which ran out into the sea. Then the King began to pull and haul at posts and pins, this one up and that one down, till at last a little house floated up to the waters edge. There he kept his daughter, for she was so dear to him that he had hid her, so that no one could find her out. He left the white bear outside while he went in and told her how it had danced and played its pranks. She said she was afraid, and dared not look at it; but he talked her over, saying there was no danger if she only wouldnt laugh. So they brought the bear in, and locked the door, and it danced and played its tricks; but just when the fun was at its height, the Princesss maid began to laugh. Then the lad flew at her and tore her to bits, and the Princess began to cry and sob.
Stuff and nonsense, cried the King; all this fuss about a maid! Ill get you just as good a one again. But now I think the bear had best stay here till morning, for I dont care to have to go and lead it along all those galleries and stairs at this time of night.
Well! said the Princess, if it sleeps here, Im sure I wont.
But just then the bear curled himself up and lay down by the stove; and it was settled at last that the Princess should sleep there too, with a light burning. But as soon as the King had well gone, the white bear came and begged her to undo his collar. The Princess was so scared she almost swooned away; but she felt about till she found the collar, and she had scarce undone it before the bear pulled his head off. Then she knew him again, and was so glad there was no end to her joy, and she wanted to tell her father at once that her deliverer was come. But the lad would not hear of it; he would earn her once more, he said. So in the morning when they heard the King rattling at the posts outside, the lad drew on the hide and lay down by the stove.
Well, has it lain still? the king asked.
I should think so, said the Princess; it hasnt so much as turned or stretched itself once.
When they got up to the castle again, the captain took the bear and led it away, and then the lad threw off the hide, and went to a tailor and ordered clothes fit for a prince; and when they were fitted on he went to the King, and said he wanted to find the Princess.
Youre not the first who has wished the same thing, said the King, but they have all lost their lives; for if any one who tries cant find her in four-and-twenty hours his life is forfeited.
Yes; the lad knew all that. Still he wished to try, and if he couldnt find her, twas his look-out. Now in the castle there was a band that played sweet tunes, and there were fair maids to dance with, and so the lad danced away.
When twelve hours were gone, the King said:
I pity you with all my heart. Youre so poor a hand at seeking; you will surely lose your life.
Stuff! said the lad; while theres life theres hope! So long as theres breath in the body theres no fear; we have lots of time! and so he went on dancing till there was only one hour left.
Then he said he would begin to search.