at these words the magician was very angry, and turned her into a little black dog, and led her away; saying, "since you will not come with me of your own free will, i will make you." so the poor princess was dragged away, without any power of effecting an escape, or of letting her sisters know what had become of her. as punchkin passed through the palace gate the servants said to him, "where did you get that pretty little dog?" and he answered, "one of the princesses gave it to me as a present." at hearing which they let him go without further questioning.