,' replied the porter.

'No, while he is eating it,' said the second boy, stepping across the
threshold.

The attendants all ran forward to thrust such impudent youngsters
outside the palace, but the boys slipped through their fingers like
quicksilver, and entered a large hall, where the emperor was dining,
surrounded by his whole court.

'We desire to enter,' said one of the princes sharply to a servant who
stood near the door.

'That is quite impossible,' replied the servant.

'Is it? let us see!' said the second prince, pushing the servants to
right and left.

But the servants were many, and the princes only two. There was the
noise of a struggle, which reached the emperor's ears.

'What is the matter?' asked he angrily.

The princes stopped at the sound of their father's voice.

'Two boys who want to force their way in,' replied one of the servants,
approaching the emperor.

'To FORCE their way in? Who dares to use force in my palace? What boys
are they?' said the emperor all in one breath.

'We know not, O mighty emperor,' answered the servant, 'but they must
surely be akin to you, for they have the strength of lions, and have
scattered the guards at the gate. And they are as proud as they are
strong, for they will not take their caps from their heads.'

The emperor, as he listened, grew red with anger.

'Thrust them out,' cried he. 'Set the dogs after them.'

'Leave us alone, and we will go quietly,' said the princes, and stepped
backwards, weeping silently at the harsh words. They had almost reached
the gates when a servant ran up to them.

'The emperor commands you to return,' panted he: 'the empress wishes to
see you.'

The princes thought a moment: then they went back the way they had come,
and walked straight up to the emperor, their caps still on their heads.

He sat at the top of a long table covered with flowers and filled with
guests. And beside him sat the empress, supported by twelve cushions.
When the princes entered one of the cushions fell down, and there
remained only eleven.

'Take off your caps,' said one of the courtiers.

'A covered head is among men a sign of honour. We wish to seem what we
are.'

'Never mind,' said the emperor, whose anger had dropped before the
silvery tones of the boy's voice. 'Stay as you are, but tell me WHO you
are! Where do you come from, and what do you want?'

'We are twins, two shoots from one stem, which has been broken, and
half lies in t