Then she dressed herself as a boy , and placing the basket on her head , she walked slowly past the palace , crying as she went : ` Who will carry these flowers to the king , who lies sick of love ? ' And the king in his bed heard what she said , and ordered one of his attendants to go out and buy the basket . It was brought to his bedside , and as he raised the lid cries were heard , and peeping in he saw two little children . He was furious at this new trick which he felt had been played on him by Maria , and was still looking at them , wondering how he should pay her out , when he was told that the merchant , Maria 's father , had finished the business on which he had been sent and returned home . Then the king remembered how Maria had refused to receive his visit , and how she had stolen his fruit , and he determined to be revenged on her . So he sent a message by one of his pages that the merchant was to come to see him the next day , and bring with him a coat made of stone , or else he would be punished . Now the poor man had been very sad since he got home the evening before , for though his daughters had promised that nothing should happen while he was away , he had found the two elder ones married without asking his leave . And now there was this fresh misfortune , for how was he to make a coat of stone ? He wrung his hands and declared that the king would be the ruin of him , when Maria suddenly entered . ` Do not grieve about the coat of stone , dear father ; but take this bit of chalk , and go to the palace and say you have come to measure the king . ' The old man did not see the use of this , but Maria had so often helped him before that he had confidence in her , so he put the chalk in his pocket and went to the palace . ` That is no good , ' said the king , when the merchant had told him what he had come for . ` Well , I ca n't make the coat you want , ' replied he . ` Then if you would save your head , hand over to me your daughter Maria . ' The merchant did not reply , but went sorrowfully back to his house , where Maria sat waiting for him . ` Oh , my dear child , why was I born ? The king says that , instead of the coat , I must deliver you up to him . ' ` Do not be unhappy , dear father , but get a doll made , exactly like me , with a string attached to its head , which I can pull for `` Yes '' and `` No . '' ' So the old man went out at once to see about it . The king remained patiently in his palace , feeling sure that this time Maria could not escape him ; and he said to his pages , ` If a gentleman should come here with his daughter and ask to be allowed to speak with me , put the young lady in my room and see she does not leave it . '
When the door was shut on Maria , who had concealed the doll under her cloak , she hid herself under the couch , keeping fast hold of the string which was fastened XXXXX its head .
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