"A little less," exclaimed the Princess, contemptuously, "and you wouldhave been cut to pieces; for you have not sense enough to take careof yourself. I am sorry I listened to you, and left the inn to whichthe Gryphoness took me. It would have been far better to wait therefor her as she told me to do."

"Yes," said the Absolute Fool; "it would have been much better."

"Now," said the Princess, "we will go back there, and look at if she hasreturned."

"If we can find it," exclaimed the other, "which I somewhat much doubt."

There were several roads at this point and, of course, they took thewrong one. As they went on, the Absolute Fool complained bitterlythat he had left his horse close behind him, and was obliged to walk.Sometimes he stopped, and exclaimed he would go back after it; but thisthe Princess sternly forbade.