Page 31 - The She-Bear

age than you. So be cheerful now, and cheer up
my heart, and do not see the whole kingdom
thrown into mourning, this house into
lamentation, and your mother forlorn and
heart-broken."
When the Prince heard these words, he said,
"Nothing can console me but the sight of the
bear. Therefore, if you wish to see me well
again, let her be brought into this chamber; I
will have no one else to attend me, and make
my bed, and cook for me, but she herself; and
you may be sure that this pleasure will make
me well in a trice."
Thereupon his mother, although she thought it
ridiculous enough for the bear to act as cook
and chambermaid, and feared that her son was
not in his right mind, yet, in order to gratify
him, had the bear fetched. And when the bear
came up to the Prince's bed, she raised her paw
and felt the patient's pulse, which made the
Queen laugh outright, for she thought every
moment that the bear would scratch his nose.
Then the Prince said, "My dear bear, will you
not cook for me, and give me my food, and
wait upon me?" and the bear nodded her head,
to show that she accepted the office. Then his
mother had some fowls brought, and a fire
lighted on the hearth in the same chamber, and
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