And all the time he was thinking to himself that never , during the hundreds of years he had lived , had he seen so charming a maiden . But the princess felt no such happiness ; in spite of all the magic delights around her she was sad , though she tried to seem content for fear of displeasing the gnome . However , he soon perceived her melancholy , and in a thousand ways strove to dispel the cloud , but in vain . At last he said to himself : ` Men are sociable creatures , like bees or ants . Doubtless this lovely mortal is pining for company . Who is there I can find for her to talk to ? ' Thereupon he hastened into the nearest filed and dug up a dozen or so of different roots -- carrots , turnips , and radishes -- and laying them carefully in an elegant basket brought them to the princess , who sat pensive in the shade of the rose-bower . ` Loveliest daughter of earth , ' said the gnome , ` banish all sorrow ; no more shall you be lonely in my dwelling . In this basket is all you need to make this spot delightful to you . Take this little many-coloured wand , and with a touch give to each root the form you desire to see . ' With this he left her , and the princess , without an instant 's delay , opened the basket , and touching a turnip , cried eagerly : ` Brunhilda , my dear Brunhilda ! come to me quickly ! ' And sure enough there was Brunhilda , joyfully hugging and kissing her beloved princess , and chattering as gaily as in the old days . This sudden appearance was so delightful that the princess could hardly believe her own eyes , and was quite beside herself with the joy of having her dear playfellow with her once more . Hand in hand they wandered about the enchanted garden , and gathered the golden apples from the trees , and when they were tired of this amusement the princess led her friend through all the wonderful rooms of the palace , until at last they came to the one in which were kept all the marvellous dresses and ornaments the gnome had given to his hoped-for bride . There they found so much to amuse them that the hours passed like minutes . Veils , girdles , and necklaces were tried on and admired , the imitation Brunhilda knew so well how to behave herself , and showed so much taste that nobody would ever have suspected that she was nothing but a turnip after all . The gnome , who had secretly been keeping an eye upon them , was very pleased with himself for having so well understood the heart of a woman ; and the princess seemed to him even more charming than before . She did not forget to touch the rest of the roots with her magic wand , and soon had all her maidens about her , and even , as she had two tiny radishes to spare , her favourite cat , and her little dog whose name was Beni . And now all went cheerfully in the castle .
The princess gave XXXXX each of the maidens her task , and never was mistress better served .
In With about during for from like of to upon