she said to herself . ' I should not take anything out . I should only just see what was there . ' And without farther hesitation she lifted the cover . Instantly out came swarms of little men and women , no taller than her finger , and scattered themselves all over the meadow , singing and dancing , and playing the merriest games , so that at first Graciosa was delighted and watched them with much amusement . But presently , when she was rested and wished to go on her way , she found that , do what she would , she could not get them back into their box . If she chased them in the meadow they fled into the wood , and if she pursued them into the wood they dodged round trees and behind sprigs of moss , and with peals of elfin laughter scampered back again into the meadow . At last , weary and terrified , she sat down and cried . ` It is my own fault , ' she said sadly . ` Percinet , if you can still care for such an imprudent Princess , do come and help me once more . ' Immediately Percinet stood before her . ` Ah , Princess ! ' he said , ` but for the wicked Queen I fear you would never think of me at all . ' ` Indeed I should , ' said Graciosa ; ' I am not so ungrateful as you think . Only wait a little and I believe I shall love you quite dearly . ' Percinet was pleased at this , and with one stroke of his wand compelled all the wilful little people to come back to their places in the box , and then rendering the Princess invisible he took her with him in his chariot to the castle . When the Princess presented herself at the door , and said that the Queen had ordered her to place the box in her own room , the governor laughed heartily at the idea . ` No , no , my little shepherdess , ' said he , ` that is not the place for you . No wooden shoes have ever been over that floor yet . ' Then Graciosa begged him to give her a written message telling the Queen that he had refused to admit her .
This he did , and she went back to Percinet , who was waiting XXXXX her , and they set out together for the palace .
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