But Crafticus replied--"There was a storm up there last night, and the gander was covered with snow--in my eyes he was white." Old Primeval looked perplexed and annoyed. But king Muffler laughed and his mane shook. "Crafticus is clever," said he. "I know something myself about the case, nevertheless call for witnesses." "There is but one witness, O king, and that is the gander's widow." "Call her," said the king. "Stupidify, come to the front," cried the counsellor. The green goose waddled up before the king, napped her wings, cackled, and screamed hysterically. "Be silent, you idiot, don't you see the king?" Primeval shouted between her cries. "Where?" replied the goose, looking around her confused. "There," said Primeval emphatically, pointing his emerald club at Muffler's nose. "Oh yes, I think I see him," cried the goose through her tears. "But I thought the king was like my lovely husband. Oh dear me," and she cried bitterly. King Muffler cast his eyes down towards her with pity and contempt. "Stupidify," said Primeval gravely, "was there a fall of snow last night?" "What? What?" enquired the goose. "Are you deaf, you silly creature?" cried Primeval angrily. "Was there not a fall of snow last night?" He wanted to frighten her into saying there was, for he thought the king admired the fox and wished him to escape. "Be patient, be patient," said king Muffler, "my counsellor's conduct should be dignified. Be gentle with the poor widow." "Pardon me, O king," replied Primeval bowing low. Then turning to the goose he enquired, "Are you deaf, dear?" "Yes, sir," answered she, and receiving such sympathy she screamed loudly; which was rather annoying to Muffler's ears, for they jerked as if wasps were at their tips. When the goose quieted down, Primeval asked: "You don't think of course there was any snow last night, my dear?" He wanted to coax her to say there wasn't, for he now thought the king was in her favor. "I don't remember," answered Stupidify; and Primeval scratched his head in disgust, while the king gave a muffled laugh. "O king Muffler," said Primeval, "I can proceed no further, for the green goose is no use as a witness. Is the explanation given by Crafticus satisfactory? Does he go free?"