In this door also was a rusty key, and Briar-Rose turned it as easily as she had turned the first. Then she pushed open the door and entered.
She found herself in a small room lighted by narrow windows, Beneath one of these windows was a couch, and in front of it sat an old woman with a spinning- wheel.
“Good-morrow, Motherkin,” said the Princess. “What are you doing?”
“I am spinning, my pretty child,” answered the old woman without ceasing her work.
“Spinning?” asked the Princess. “Oh, do let me see! What is that thing which goes round so merrily?”
“That is the spinning-wheel,” said the old woman. “Why, child, you speak as though you had never seen such a thing before,”
“Indeed, I have not,” said the Princess. “How interesting it is! I wonder whether I could do it as well as you. Will you let me try?”
“Why, of course,” said the old woman, “every young girl should know how to spin. Here you are, my dear,” and she gave Briar-Rose the spindle.
Now whether the Princess in her eagerness to seize the