` Trust me ; all will be well . But see that you do not come back without an answer of some kind . ' And so , obedient to her son 's behest , the old woman hobbled off to the palace , and , without being hindered , reached the courtyard , and began to mount the flight of steps leading to the royal presence chamber . At the head of the landing rows of courtiers were collected in magnificent attire , who stared at the queer old figure , and called to her , and explained to her , with every kind of sign , that it was strictly forbidden to mount those steps . But their stern words and forbidding gestures made no impression whatever on the old woman , and she resolutely continued to climb the stairs , bent on carrying out her son 's orders . Upon this some of the courtiers seized her by the arms , and held her back by sheer force , at which she set up such a yell that the King himself heard it , and stepped out on to the balcony to see what was the matter . When he beheld the old woman flinging her arms wildly about , and heard her scream that she would not leave the place till she had laid her case before the King , he ordered that she should be brought into his presence . And forthwith she was conducted into the golden presence chamber , where , leaning back amongst cushions of royal purple , the King sat , surrounded by his counsellors and courtiers . Courtesying low , the old woman stood silent before him . ` Well , my good old dame , what can I do for you ? ' asked the King . ' I have come , ' replied Martin 's mother -- ` and your Majesty must not be angry with me -- I have come a-wooing . ' ` Is the woman out of her mind ? ' said the King , with an angry frown . But Martin 's mother answered boldly : ` If the King will only listen patiently to me , and give me a straightforward answer , he will see that I am not out of my mind . You , O King , have a lovely daughter to give in marriage . I have a son -- a wooer -- as clever a youth and as good a son-in-law as you will find in your whole kingdom . There is nothing that he can not do . Now tell me , O King , plump and plain , will you give your daughter to my son as wife ? ' The King listened to the end of the old woman 's strange request , but every moment his face grew blacker , and his features sterner ; till all at once he thought to himself , ` Is it worth while that I , the King , should be angry with this poor old fool ? '
And all the courtiers and counsellors were amazed when they saw the hard lines round his mouth and the frown on his brow grow smooth , and heard the mild but mocking tones in which he answered the old woman , saying : ` If your son is as wonderfully clever as you say , and if there is XXXXX in the world that he can not do , let him build a magnificent castle , just opposite my palace windows , in four and twenty hours .
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