The trees grew very fast, and when they were as tall as a girl
of fifteen he said to the cherry laurel, `My lovely cherry laurel,
with the golden rake I have raked thee, with the golden bucket I
have watered thee, with the silken towel I have wiped thee.
Teach me how to become invisible.' Then there instantly
appeared on the laurel a pretty white flower, which Michael
gathered and stuck into his button-hole.


VI


That evening, when the princesses went upstairs to bed, he
followed them barefoot, so that he might make no noise, and hid
himself under one of the twelve beds, so as not to take up much room.

The princesses began at once to open their wardrobes and boxes.
They took out of them the most magnificent dresses, which they
put on before their mirrors, and when they had finished, turned
themselves all round to admire their appearances.

Michael could see nothing from his hiding-place, but he could
hear everything, and he listened to the princesses laughing and
jumping with pleasure. At last the eldest said, `Be quick, my
sisters, our partners will be impatient.' At the end of an hour,
when the Star Gazer heard no more noise, he peeped out and saw
the twelve sisters in splendid garments, with their satin shoes on
their feet, and in their hands the bouquets he had brought them.