But never trouble yourself about that , dearest one , a basket of fresh turnips will soon set matters right , and you can speedily call up again every form you wish to see . The great green patch in the garden will prove you with a more lively company . ' So saying the gnome took himself off . And the princess with her magic wand touched the wrinkled old women , and left them the withered roots they really were , to be thrown upon the rubbish heap ; and with light feet skipped off across to the meadow to take possession of the freshly filled basket . But to her surprise she could not find it anywhere . Up and down the garden she searched , spying into every corner , but not a sign of it was to be found . By the trellis of grape vines she met the gnome , who was so much embarrassed at the sight of her that she became aware of his confusion while he was still quite a long way off . ` You are trying to tease me , ' she cried , as soon as she saw him . ` Where have you hidden the basket ? I have been looking for it at least an hour . ' ` Dear queen of my heart , ' answered he , ' I pray you to forgive my carelessness . I promised more than I could perform . I have sought all over the land for the roots you desire ; but they are gathered in , and lie drying in musty cellars , and the fields are bare and desolate , for below in the valley winter reigns , only here in your presence spring is held fast , and wherever your foot is set the gay flowers bloom . Have patience for a little , and then without fail you shall have your puppets to play with . ' Almost before the gnome had finished , the disappointed princess turned away , and marched off to her own apartments , without deigning to answer him . The gnome , however , set off above ground as speedily as possible , and disguising himself as a farmer , bought an ass in the nearest market-town , and brought it back loaded with sacks of turnip , carrot , and radish seed . With this he sowed a great field , and sent a vast army of his goblins to watch and tend it , and to bring up the fiery rivers from the heart of the earth near enough to warm and encourage the sprouting seeds . Thus fostered they grew and flourished marvellously , and promised a goodly crop . The princess wandered about the field day by day , no other plants or fruits in all her wonderful garden pleased her as much as these roots ; but still her eyes were full of discontent . And , best of all , she loved to while away the hours in a shady fir-wood , seated upon the bank of a little stream , into which she would cast the flowers she had gathered and watch them float away .
The gnome tried hard by every means in his power to please the princess and win her love , but little did he guess the real reason of his lack XXXXX success .
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