a month he didn't know
what to do with himself.

One morning he went into the treasure room, and took notice of a
beautiful snuff-box on the table that he didn't remember seeing there
before. He took it in his hands and opened it, and out _Seven Inches_
walked on the table. 'I think, prince,' says he, 'you're getting a
little tired of my castle?' 'Ah!' says the other, 'if I had my princess
here, and could see you now and then, I'd never know a dismal day.'
'Well, you're long enough here now, and you're wanted there above. Keep
your bride's crowns safe, and whenever you want my help, open this
snuff-box. Now take a walk down the garden, and come back when you're
tired.'

The prince was going down a gravel walk with a quick-set hedge on each
side, and his eyes on the ground, and he was thinking of one thing and
another. At last he lifted his eyes, and there he was outside of a
smith's gate, that he often passed before, about a mile away from the
palace of his betrothed princess. The clothes he had on him were as
ragged as you please, but he had his crowns safe under his old cloak.

Then the smith came out, and says he, 'It's a shame for a strong, big
fellow like you to be lazy, and so much work to be done. Are you any
good with hammer and tongs? Come in and bear a hand, an I'll give you
diet and lodging, and a few pence when you earn them.' 'Never say't
twice,' says the prince. 'I want nothing but to be busy.' So he took the
hammer, and pounded away at the red-hot bar that the smith was turning
on the anvil to make into a set of horse-shoes.

They hadn't been long at work when a tailor came in, and he sat down and
began to talk. 'You all heard how the two princesses were loth to be
married till the youngest would be ready with her crowns and her
sweetheart. But after the windlass loosened _accidentally_ when they
were pulling up her bridegroom that was to be, there was no more sign of
a well, or a rope, or a windlass, than there is on the palm of your
hand. So the princes that were courting the eldest ladies wouldn't give
peace or ease to their lovers nor the king till they got consent to the
marriage, and it was to take place this morning. Myself went down out o'
curiosity, and to be sure I was delighted with the grand dresses of the
two brides, and the three crowns on their heads--gold, silver, and
copper, one inside the other. The youngest was standing by mournful
enough, and all was ready. The two bridegrooms cam