Oh , you can come near ; I am cleverer than you , and know how to pick up a bundle very well . ' The king blushed at her words , which he felt had a great deal of truth in them , and took up the bundle meekly . Aveline , delighted at the success of her first experiment , hobbled along after him , chattering all the while , as old women do . ' I wish , ' she said , ` that all kings had done as much once in their lives . Then they would know what a lot of trouble it takes to get wood for their fires . ' Souci felt this to be true , and was sorry for the old woman . ` Where are we going to ? ' asked he . ` To the castle of the White Demon ; and if you are in want of work I will find you something to do . ' ` But I ca n't do anything , ' he said , ` except carry a bundle , and I sha n't earn much by that . ' ` Oh , you are learning , ' replied the old woman , ` and it is n't bad for a first lesson . ' But the king was paying very little attention to her , for he was rather cross and very tired . Indeed , he felt that he really could not carry the bundle any further , and was about to lay it down when up came a young maiden more beautiful than the day , and covered with precious stones . She ran to them , exclaiming to the old woman , ` Oh , you poor thing ! I was just coming after you to see if I could help you . ' ` Here is a young man , ' replied the old woman , ` who will be quite ready to give you up the bundle . You see he does not look as if he enjoyed carrying it . ' ` Will you let me take it , sir ? ' she asked . But the king felt ashamed of himself , and held on to it tightly , while the presence of the princess put him in a better temper .
So they all travelled together till they arrived at a very ordinary-looking house , which Aveline pointed out as the castle XXXXX the White Demon , and told the king that he might put down his bundle in the courtyard .
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