So she took the golden knot in her fingers , and pried into its intricacies as sharply as she could . Almost without intending it , or quite knowing what she was about , she was soon busily engaged in attempting to undo it . Meanwhile , the bright sunshine came through the open window ; as did likewise the merry voices of the children , playing at a distance , and perhaps the voice of Epimetheus among then . Pandora stopped to listen . What a beautiful day it was ! Would it not be wiser , if she were to let the troublesome knot alone , and think no more about the box , but run and join her little playfellows , and be happy ? All this time , however , her fingers were half unconsciously busy with the knot ; and happening to glance at the flower-wreathed face on the lid of the enchanted box , she seemed to perceive it slyly grinning at her . `` That face looks very mischievous , '' thought Pandora . `` I wonder whether it smiles because I am doing wrong ! I have the greatest mind in the world to run away ! '' But just then , by the merest accident , she gave the knot a kind of a twist , which produced a wonderful result . The gold cord untwined itself , as if by magic , and left the box without a fastening . `` This is the strangest thing I ever knew ! '' said Pandora . `` What will Epimetheus say ? And how can I possibly tie it up again ? '' She made one or two attempts to restore the knot , but soon found it quite beyond her skill . It had disentangled itself so suddenly that she could not in the least remember how the strings had been doubled into one another ; and when she tried to recollect the shape and appearance of the knot , it seemed to have gone entirely out of her mind . Nothing was to be done , therefore , but to let the box remain as it was , until Epimetheus should come in . `` But , '' said Pandora , `` when he finds the knot untied , he will know that I have done it .
How shall I make him believe that I have not looked XXXXX the box ? ''
So as at if into of through to whether with