And instantly the handsome Prince Peerless became a poor little black Cricket , whose only idea would have been to find himself a cosy cranny behind some blazing hearth , if he had not luckily remembered the Fairy Douceline 's injunction to seek the Golden Branch . So he hastened to depart from the fatal castle , and sought shelter in a hollow tree , where he found a forlorn looking little Grasshopper crouching in a corner , too miserable to sing . Without in the least expecting an answer , the Prince asked it : ` And where may you be going , Gammer Grasshopper ? ' ` Where are you going yourself , Gaffer Cricket ? ' replied the Grasshopper . ` What ! can you speak ? ' said he . ` Why should I not speak as well as you ? Is n't a Grasshopper as good as a Cricket ? ' said she . ' I can talk because I was a Prince , ' said the Cricket . ` And for that very same reason I ought to be able to talk more than you , for I was a Princess , ' replied the Grasshopper . ` Then you have met with the same fate as I have , ' said he . ` But where are you going now ? Can not we journey together ? ' ' I seemed to hear a voice in the air which said : `` Be firm , happen what may , and seek the Golden Branch , '' ' answered the Grasshopper , ` and I thought the command must be for me , so I started at once , though I do n't know the way . ' At this moment their conversation was interrupted by two mice , who , breathless from running , flung themselves headlong through the hole into the tree , nearly crushing the Grasshopper and the Cricket , though they got out of the way as fast as they could and stood up in a dark corner . ` Ah , Madam , ' said the fatter of the two , ' I have such a pain in my side from running so fast . How does your Highness find yourself ? ' '
I have pulled my tail off , ' replied the younger Mouse , ` but XXXXX I should still be on the sorcerer 's table unless I had , I do not regret it .
as at because from into of than though through with