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8
THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES
XI
As soon as she got up she found the branch in her bouquet. When the sisters went down she stayed a little behind and said to the cow-boy: 'Where does this branch coine from? '
'Your Royal Highness knows well enough,' answered Michael.
'So you have followed us?'
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'Yes, Princess.'
'How did you manage it? we never saw you.'
'I hid myself,' replied the Star Gazer quietly.
The Princess was silent a moment, and then said:
'You know our secret!—keep it. Here is the reward of your discretion.' And she flung the boy a purse of gold.
'I do not sell my silence,' answered Michael, and he went away without picking up the purse.
