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LABOULAYE’S FAIRY BOOK he was not the most unhappy of princes, since Heaven had given him such a friend. All at once the strangest little doctor that had ever been seen in a castle entered the king’s apartment unannounced. He wore a wig with long curls, his snow-white beard fell on his breast, and his eyes were so bright and youthful that it seemed as though they must have come into the world sixty years after the rest of his body. "Where are those knaves?”’ cried he, with a shrill voice, rapping on the floor with his cane. " Where are those ignorant fellows, those pedants, those ill-bred men that did not wait for me? Ah! so you are the patient,” said he to the stupefied king. “That is good. Put out your tongue. Quick! I am in a hurry.” “Who are you?" asked the king. “T am Doctor Truth, the greatest doctor in the world, as you will see, in spite of my modesty. Ask Wieduwillst, my pupil, who sent for me from the Land of Dreams. I cure everybody, even those who are not ill. Put out your tongue; that’s right. Where is the opinion? Very well. Atony—asinis! Plethora—asini! Nervousness—asinorum! Drink the Clear Waters—asininum! Do you know what is your disease? It is vexation, and even worse." “Do you see that?” said Charming, terrified. “Yes, my son, it is written on your tongue. But I will cure you: it shall be done by to-morrow noon.’ 150
