First , however , she tried to lift it . It was heavy ; quite too heavy for the slender strength of a child , like Pandora . She raised one end of the box a few inches from the floor , and let it fall again , with a pretty loud thump . A moment afterwards , she almost fancied that she heard something stir , inside of the box . She applied her ear as closely as possible , and listened . Positively , there did seem to be a kind of stifled murmur , within ! Or was it merely the singing in Pandora 's ears ? Or could it be the beating of her heart ? The child could not quite satisfy herself whether she had heard anything or no . But , at all events , her curiosity was stronger than ever . As she drew back her head , her eyes fell upon the knot of gold cord . `` It must have been a very ingenious person who tied this knot , '' said Pandora to herself . `` But I think I could untie it , nevertheless . I am resolved , at least , to find the two ends of the cord . '' 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 XXXXX 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 .
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