第4章

Theprincedidashewasbid，andthemareandherfoalstoodbeforehim。Thenheputthehalterroundherneck，androdeherhome，thefoalalwaystrottingbehindthem。Theoldwomanwasatthedoortoreceivethem，andgavetheprincesomefoodwhilesheledthemarebacktothestable。

’Youshouldhavegoneamongthefishes，’criedtheoldwoman，strikingtheanimalwithastick。

’Ididgoamongthefishes，’repliedthemare;’buttheyarenofriendsofmine，fortheybetrayedmeatonce。’

’Well，goamongthefoxesthistime，’saidshe，andreturnedtothehouse，notknowingthattheprincehadoverheardher。

Sowhenitbegantogrowdarktheprincemountedthemareforthesecondtimeandrodeintothemeadows，andthefoaltrottedbehinditsmother。Againhemanagedtostickontillmidnight:

thenasleepovertookhimthathecouldnotbattleagainst，andwhenhewokeuphefoundhimself，asbefore，sittingonthelog，withthehalterinhishands。Hegaveashriekofdismay，andsprangupinsearchofthewanderers。Ashewenthesuddenlyrememberedthewordsthattheoldwomanhadsaidtothemare，andhedrewoutthefoxhairandtwisteditinhisfingers。

’Whatisit，mybrother？’askedthefox，whoinstantlyappearedbeforehim。

’Theoldwitch’smarehasrunawayfromme，andIdonotknowwheretolookforher。’

’Sheiswithus，’repliedthefox，’andhaschangedherselfintoabigfox，andherfoalintoalittleone，butstrikethegroundwithahalterandsay，"Comehere，Omareofthemountainwitch！"’

Theprincedidso，andinamomentthefoxbecameamareandstoodbeforehim，withthelittlefoalatherheels。Hemountedandrodeback，andtheoldwomanplacedfoodonthetable，andledthemarebacktothestable。

’Youshouldhavegonetothefoxes，asItoldyou，’saidshe，strikingthemarewithastick。

’Ididgotothefoxes，’repliedthemare，’buttheyarenofriendsofmineandbetrayedme。’

’Well，thistimeyouhadbettergotothewolves，’saidshe，notknowingthattheprincehadheardallshehadbeensaying。

Thethirdnighttheprincemountedthemareandrodeherouttothemeadows，withthefoaltrottingafter。Hetriedhardtokeepawake，butitwasofnouse，andinthemorningtherehewasagainonthelog，graspingthehalter。Hestartedtohisfeet，andthenstopped，forherememberedwhattheoldwomanhadsaid，andpulledoutthewolf’sgreylock。

’Whatisit，mybrother？’askedthewolfasitstoodbeforehim。

’Theoldwitch’smarehasrunawayfromme，’repliedtheprince，’andIdon’tknowwheretofindher。’

’Oh，sheiswithus，’answeredthewolf，’andshehaschangedherselfintoashe—wolf，andthefoalintoacub;butstriketheearthherewiththehalter，andcry，"Cometome，Omareofthemountainwitch。"’

Theprincedidashewasbid，andasthehairtouchedhisfingersthewolfchangedbackintoamare，withthefoalbesideher。Andwhenhehadmountedandriddenherhometheoldwomanwasonthestepstoreceivethem，andshesetsomefoodbeforetheprince，butledthemarebacktoherstable。

’Youshouldhavegoneamongthewolves，’saidshe，strikingherwithastick。

’SoIdid，’repliedthemare，’buttheyarenofriendsofmineandbetrayedme。’

Theoldwomanmadenoanswer，andleftthestable，buttheprincewasatthedoorwaitingforher。

’Ihaveservedyouwell，’saidhe，’andnowformyreward。’

’WhatIpromisedthatwillIperform，’answeredshe。’Chooseoneofthesetwelvehorses;youcanhavewhichyoulike。’

’Giveme，instead，thathalf—starvedcreatureinthecorner，’

askedtheprince。’Ipreferhimtoallthosebeautifulanimals。’

’Youcan’treallymeanwhatyousay？’repliedthewoman。

’Yes，Ido，’saidtheprince，andtheoldwomanwasforcedtolethimhavehisway。Sohetookleaveofher，andputthehalterroundhishorse’sneckandledhimintotheforest，whereherubbedhimdowntillhisskinwasshininglikegold。Thenhemounted，andtheyflewstraightthroughtheairtothedragon’spalace。Theempresshadbeenlookingforhimnightandday，andstoleouttomeethim，andheswungherontohissaddle，andthehorseflewoffagain。

Notlongafterthedragoncamehome，andwhenhefoundtheempresswasmissinghesaidtohishorse，’Whatshallwedo？

Shallweeatanddrink，orshallwefollowtherunaways？’andthehorsereplied，’Whetheryoueatordon’teat，drinkordon’tdrink，followthemorstayathome，mattersnothingnow，foryoucannever，nevercatchthem。’

Butthedragonmadenoreplytothehorse’swords，butsprangonhisbackandsetoffinchaseofthefugitives。Andwhentheysawhimcomingtheywerefrightened，andurgedtheprince’shorsefasterandfaster，tillhesaid，’Fearnothing;noharmcanhappentous，’andtheirheartsgrewcalm，fortheytrustedhiswisdom。

Soonthedragon’shorsewasheardpantingbehind，andhecriedout，’Oh，mybrother，donotgosofast！IshallsinktotheearthifItrytokeepupwithyou。’

Andtheprince’shorseanswered，’Whydoyouserveamonsterlikethat？Kickhimoff，andlethimbreakinpiecesontheground，andcomeandjoinus。’

Andthedragon’shorseplungedandreared，andthedragonfellonarock，whichbrokehiminpieces。Thentheempressmountedhishorse，androdebackwithherhusbandtoherkingdom，overwhichtheyruledformanyyears。

[VolksmarchenderSerben。]

THELUTEPLAYER

Onceuponatimetherewasakingandqueenwholivedhappilyandcomfortablytogether。Theywereveryfondofeachotherandhadnothingtoworrythem，butatlastthekinggrewrestless。Helongedtogooutintotheworld，totryhisstrengthinbattleagainstsomeenemyandtowinallkindsofhonourandglory。

Sohecalledhisarmytogetherandgaveorderstostartforadistantcountrywhereaheathenkingruledwhoill—treatedortormentedeveryonehecouldlayhishandson。Thekingthengavehispartingordersandwiseadvicetohisministers，tookatenderleaveofhiswife，andsetoffwithhisarmyacrosstheseas。

Icannotsaywhetherthevoyagewasshortorlong;butatlasthereachedthecountryoftheheathenkingandmarchedon，defeatingallwhocameinhisway。Butthisdidnotlastlong，forintimehecametoamountainpass，wherealargearmywaswaitingforhim，whoputhissoldierstoflight，andtookthekinghimselfprisoner。

Hewascarriedofftotheprisonwheretheheathenkingkepthiscaptives，andnowourpoorfriendhadaverybadtimeindeed。

Allnightlongtheprisonerswerechainedup，andinthemorningtheywereyokedtogetherlikeoxenandhadtoploughthelandtillitgrewdark。

Thisstateofthingswentonforthreeyearsbeforethekingfoundanymeansofsendingnewsofhimselftohisdearqueen，butatlasthecontrivedtosendthisletter:’Sellallourcastlesandpalaces，andputallourtreasuresinpawnandcomeanddelivermeoutofthishorribleprison。’

Thequeenreceivedtheletter，readit，andweptbitterlyasshesaidtoherself，’HowcanIdelivermydearesthusband？IfIgomyselfandtheheathenkingseesmehewilljusttakemetobeoneofhiswives。IfIweretosendoneoftheministers！——butI

hardlyknowifIcandependonthem。’

Shethought，andthought，andatlastanideacameintoherhead。

Shecutoffallherbeautifullongbrownhairanddressedherselfinboy’sclothes。Thenshetookherluteand，withoutsayinganythingtoanyone，shewentforthintothewideworld。

Shetravelledthroughmanylandsandsawmanycities，andwentthroughmanyhardshipsbeforeshegottothetownwheretheheathenkinglived。Whenshegotthereshewalkedallroundthepalaceandatthebackshesawtheprison。Thenshewentintothegreatcourtinfrontofthepalace，andtakingherluteinherhand，shebegantoplaysobeautifullythatonefeltasthoughonecouldneverhearenough。

Aftershehadplayedforsometimeshebegantosing，andhervoicewassweeterthanthelark’s:

’IcomefrommyowncountryfarIntothisforeignland，OfallIownItakealoneMysweetluteinmyhand。

’Oh！whowillthankmeformysong，Rewardmysimplelay？

Likelover’ssighsitstillshallriseTogreettheedaybyday。

’IsingofbloomingflowersMadesweetbysunandrain;

Ofalltheblissoflove’sfirstkiss，Andparting’scruelpain。

’Ofthesadcaptive’slongingWithinhisprisonwall，OfheartsthatsighwhennonearenighToanswertotheircall。

’Mysongbegsforyourpity，Andgiftsfromoutyourstore，AndasIplaymygentlelayIlingernearyourdoor。

’AndifyouhearmysingingWithinyourpalace，sire，Oh！give，Ipray，thishappyday，Tomemyheart’sdesire。’

Nosoonerhadtheheathenkingheardthistouchingsongsungbysuchalovelyvoice，thanhehadthesingerbroughtbeforehim。

’Welcome，Oluteplayer，’saidhe。’Wheredoyoucomefrom？’

’Mycountry，sire，isfarawayacrossmanyseas。ForyearsI

havebeenwanderingabouttheworldandgainingmylivingbymymusic。’

’Stayherethenafewdays，andwhenyouwishtoleaveIwillgiveyouwhatyouaskforinyoursong——yourheart’sdesire。’

Sotheluteplayerstayedoninthepalaceandsangandplayedalmostalldaylongtotheking，whocouldnevertireoflisteningandalmostforgottoeatordrinkortotormentpeople。

Hecaredfornothingbutthemusic，andnoddedhisheadashedeclared，’That’ssomethinglikeplayingandsinging。Itmakesmefeelasifsomegentlehandhadliftedeverycareandsorrowfromme。’

Afterthreedaystheluteplayercametotakeleaveoftheking。

’Well，’saidtheking，’whatdoyoudesireasyourreward？’

’Sire，givemeoneofyourprisoners。Youhavesomanyinyourprison，andIshouldbegladofacompaniononmyjourneys。WhenIhearhishappyvoiceasItravelalongIshallthinkofyouandthankyou。’

’Comealongthen，’saidtheking，’choosewhomyouwill。’Andhetooktheluteplayerthroughtheprisonhimself。

Thequeenwalkedaboutamongsttheprisoners，andatlengthshepickedoutherhusbandandtookhimwithheronherjourney。

Theywerelongontheirway，butheneverfoundoutwhoshewas，andsheledhimnearerandnearertohisowncountry。

Whentheyreachedthefrontiertheprisonersaid:

’Letmegonow，kindlad;Iamnocommonprisoner，butthekingofthiscountry。Letmegofreeandaskwhatyouwillasyourreward。’

’Donotspeakofreward，’answeredtheluteplayer。’Goinpeace。’

’Thencomewithme，dearboy，andbemyguest。’

’WhenthepropertimecomesIshallbeatyourpalace，’wasthereply，andsotheyparted。

Thequeentookashortwayhome，gottherebeforethekingandchangedherdress。

Anhourlaterallthepeopleinthepalacewererunningtoandfroandcryingout:’Ourkinghascomeback！Ourkinghasreturnedtous。’

Thekinggreetedeveryoneverykindly，buthewouldnotsomuchaslookatthequeen。

Thenhecalledallhiscouncilandministerstogetherandsaidtothem:

’SeewhatsortofawifeIhave。Heresheisfallingonmyneck，butwhenIwaspininginprisonandsentherwordofitshedidnothingtohelpme。’

Andhiscouncilansweredwithonevoice，’Sire，whennewswasbroughtfromyouthequeendisappearedandnooneknewwhereshewent。Sheonlyreturnedto—day。’

Thenthekingwasveryangryandcried，’Judgemyfaithlesswife！

Neverwouldyouhaveseenyourkingagain，ifayoungluteplayerhadnotdeliveredhim。IshallrememberhimwithloveandgratitudeaslongasIlive。’

Whilstthekingwassittingwithhiscouncil，thequeenfoundtimetodisguiseherself。Shetookherlute，andslippingintothecourtinfrontofthepalaceshesang，clearandsweet:

’Isingthecaptive’slongingWithinhisprisonwall，OfheartsthatsighwhennonearenighToanswertotheircall。

’Mysongbegsforyourpity，Andgiftsfromoutyourstore，AndasIplaymygentlelayIlingernearyourdoor。

’AndifyouhearmysingingWithinyourpalace，sire，Oh！give，Ipray，thishappyday，Tomemyheart’sdesire。’

Assoonasthekingheardthissongheranouttomeettheluteplayer，tookhimbythehandandledhimintothepalace。

’Here，’hecried，’istheboywhoreleasedmefrommyprison。

Andnow，mytruefriend，Iwillindeedgiveyouyourheart’sdesire。’

’Iamsureyouwillnotbelessgenerousthantheheathenkingwas，sire。IaskofyouwhatIaskedandobtainedfromhim。ButthistimeIdon’tmeantogiveupwhatIget。IwantYOU——yourself！’

Andasshespokeshethrewoffherlongcloakandeveryonesawitwasthequeen。

Whocantellhowhappythekingwas？Inthejoyofhishearthegaveagreatfeasttothewholeworld，andthewholeworldcameandrejoicedwithhimforawholeweek。

Iwastheretoo，andateanddrankmanygoodthings。Isha’n’tforgetthatfeastaslongasIlive。

[FromtheRussian。]

THEGRATEFULPRINCE

OnceuponatimethekingoftheGoldlandlosthimselfinaforest，andtryashewouldhecouldnotfindthewayout。Ashewaswanderingdownonepathwhichhadlookedatfirstmorehopefulthantheresthesawamancomingtowardshim。

’Whatareyoudoinghere，friend？’askedthestranger;’darknessisfallingfast，andsoonthewildbeastswillcomefromtheirlairstoseekforfood。’

’Ihavelostmyself，’answeredtheking，’andamtryingtogethome。’

’Thenpromisemethatyouwillgivemethefirstthingthatcomesoutofyourhouse，andIwillshowyoutheway，’saidthestranger。

Thekingdidnotanswerdirectly，butafterawhilehespoke:

’WhyshouldIgiveawaymyBESTsportingdog。Icansurelyfindmywayoutoftheforestaswellasthisman。’

Sothestrangerlefthim，butthekingfollowedpathafterpathforthreewholedays，withnobettersuccessthanbefore。Hewasalmostindespair，whenthestrangersuddenlyappeared，blockinguphisway。

’Promiseyouwillgivemethefirstthingthatcomesoutofyourhousetomeetyou？’

Butstillthekingwasstiff—neckedandwouldpromisenothing。

Forsomedayslongerhewanderedupanddowntheforest，tryingfirstonepath，thenanother，buthiscourageatlastgaveway，andhesankwearilyonthegroundunderatree，feelingsurehislasthourhadcome。Thenforthethirdtimethestrangerstoodbeforetheking，andsaid:

’Whyareyousuchafool？Whatcanadogbetoyou，thatyoushouldgiveyourlifeforhimlikethis？JustpromisemetherewardIwant，andIwillguideyououtoftheforest。’

’Well，mylifeisworthmorethanathousanddogs，’answeredtheking，’thewelfareofmykingdomdependsonme。Iacceptyourterms，sotakemetomypalace。’Scarcelyhadheutteredthewordsthanhefoundhimselfattheedgeofthewood，withthepalaceinthedimdistance。Hemadeallthehastehecould，andjustashereachedthegreatgatesoutcamethenursewiththeroyalbaby，whostretchedouthisarmstohisfather。Thekingshrankback，andorderedthenursetotakethebabyawayatonce。

Thenhisgreatboarhoundboundeduptohim，buthiscaresseswereonlyansweredbyaviolentpush。

Whentheking’sangerwasspent，andhewasabletothinkwhatwasbesttobedone，heexchangedhisbaby，abeautifulboy，forthedaughterofapeasant，andtheprincelivedroughlyasthesonofpoorpeople，whilethelittlegirlsleptinagoldencradle，undersilkensheets。Attheendofayear，thestrangerarrivedtoclaimhisproperty，andtookawaythelittlegirl，believinghertobethetruechildoftheking。Thekingwassodelightedwiththesuccessofhisplanthatheorderedagreatfeasttobegotready，andgavesplendidpresentstothefosterparentsofhisson，sothathemightlacknothing。Buthedidnotdaretobringbackthebaby，lestthetrickshouldbefoundout。Thepeasantswerequitecontentedwiththisarrangement，whichgavethemfoodandmoneyinabundance。

By—and—bytheboygrewbigandtall，andseemedtoleadahappylifeinthehouseofhisfosterparents。Butashadowhungoverhimwhichreallypoisonedmostofhispleasure，andthatwasthethoughtofthepoorinnocentgirlwhohadsufferedinhisstead，forhisfosterfatherhadtoldhiminsecret，thathewastheking’sson。Andtheprincedeterminedthatwhenhegrewoldenoughhewouldtravelallovertheworld，andneverresttillhehadsetherfree。Tobecomekingatthecostofamaiden’slifewastooheavyapricetopay。Soonedayheputonthedressofafarmservant，threwasackofpeasonhisback，andmarchedstraightintotheforestwhereeighteenyearsbeforehisfatherhadlosthimself。Afterhehadwalkedsomewayhebegantocryloudly:’Oh，howunluckyIam！WherecanIbe？Istherenoonetoshowmethewayoutofthewood？’

Thenappearedastrangemanwithalonggreybeard，withaleatherbaghangingfromhisgirdle。Henoddedcheerfullytotheprince，andsaid:’Iknowthisplacewell，andcanleadyououtofit，ifyouwillpromisemeagoodreward。’

’WhatcanabeggarsuchasIpromiseyou？’answeredtheprince。

’Ihavenothingtogiveyousavemylife;eventhecoatonmybackbelongstomymaster，whomIserveformykeepandmyclothes。’

Thestrangerlookedatthesackofpeas，andsaid，’Butyoumustpossesssomething;youarecarryingthissack，whichseemstobeveryheavy。’

’Itisfullofpeas，’wasthereply。’Myoldauntdiedlastnight，withoutleavingmoneyenoughtobuypeastogivethewatchers，asisthecustomthroughoutthecountry。Ihaveborrowedthesepeasfrommymaster，andthoughttotakeashortcutacrosstheforest;butIhavelostmyself，asyousee。’

’Thenyouareanorphan？’askedthestranger。’Whyshouldyounotentermyservice？Iwantasharpfellowinthehouse，andyoupleaseme。’

’Whynot，indeed，ifwecanstrikeabargain？’saidtheother。

’Iwasbornapeasant，andstrangebreadisalwaysbitter，soitisthesametomewhomIserve！Whatwageswillyougiveme？’

’Everydayfreshfood，meattwiceaweek，butterandvegetables，yoursummerandwinterclothes，andaportionoflandforyourownuse。’

’Ishallbesatisfiedwiththat，’saidtheyouth。’Somebodyelsewillhavetoburymyaunt。Iwillgowithyou！’

Nowthisbargainseemedtopleasetheoldfellowsomuchthathespunroundlikeatop，andsangsoloudthatthewholewoodrangwithhisvoice。Thenhesetoutwithhiscompanion，andchatteredsofastthathenevernoticedthathisnewservantkeptdroppingpeasoutofthesack。Atnighttheysleptunderafigtree，andwhenthesunrosestartedontheirway。Aboutnoontheycametoalargestone，andheretheoldfellowstopped，lookedcarefullyround，gaveasharpwhistle，andstampedthreetimesonthegroundwithhisleftfoot。Suddenlythereappearedunderthestoneasecretdoor，whichledtowhatlookedlikethemouthofacave。Theoldfellowseizedtheyouthbythearm，andsaidroughly，’Followme！’

Thickdarknesssurroundedthem，yetitseemedtotheprinceasiftheirpathledintostilldeeperdepths。Afteralongwhilehethoughthesawaglimmeroflight，butthelightwasneitherthatofthesunnorofthemoon。Helookedeagerlyatit，butfounditwasonlyakindofpalecloud，whichwasallthelightthisstrangeunderworldcouldboast。Earthandwater，treesandplants，birdsandbeasts，eachwasdifferentfromthosehehadseenbefore;butwhatmoststruckterrorintohisheartwastheabsolutestillnessthatreignedeverywhere。Notarustleorasoundcouldbeheard。Hereandtherehenoticedabirdsittingonabranch，withheaderectandswellingthroat，buthisearcaughtnothing。Thedogsopenedtheirmouthsasiftobark，thetoilingoxenseemedabouttobellow，butneitherbarknorbellowreachedtheprince。Thewaterflowednoiselesslyoverthepebbles，thewindbowedthetopsofthetrees，fliesandchafersdartedabout，withoutbreakingthesilence。Theoldgreybeardutterednoword，andwhenhiscompaniontriedtoaskhimthemeaningofitallhefeltthathisvoicediedinhisthroat。

HowlongthisfearfulstillnesslastedIdonotknow，buttheprincegraduallyfelthisheartturningtoice，hishairstooduplikebristles，andacoldchillwascreepingdownhisspine，whenatlast——oh，ecstasy！——afaintnoisebrokeonhisstrainingears，andthislifeofshadowssuddenlybecamereal。Itsoundedasifatroopofhorseswereploughingtheirwayoveramoor。

Thenthegreybeardopenedhismouth，andsaid:’Thekettleisboiling;weareexpectedathome。’

Theywalkedonalittlefurther，tilltheprincethoughtheheardthegrindingofasaw—mill，asifdozensofsawswereworkingtogether，buthisguideobserved，’Thegrandmotherissleepingsoundly;listenhowshesnores。’

Whentheyhadclimbedahillwhichlaybeforethemtheprincesawinthedistancethehouseofhismaster，butitwassosurroundedwithbuildingsofallkindsthattheplacelookedmorelikeavillageorevenasmalltown。Theyreacheditatlast，andfoundanemptykennelstandinginfrontofthegate。’Creepinsidethis，’saidthemaster，’andwaitwhileIgoinandseemygrandmother。Likeallveryoldpeople，sheisveryobstinate，andcannotbearfreshfacesabouther。’

Theprincecrepttremblinglyintothekennel，andbegantoregretthedaringwhichhadbroughthimintothisscrape。

By—and—bythemastercameback，andcalledhimfromhishiding—place。Somethinghadputouthistemper，forwithafrownhesaid，’Watchcarefullyourwaysinthehouse，andbewareofmakinganymistake，oritwillgoillwithyou。Keepyoureyesandearsopen，andyourmouthshut，obeywithoutquestions。Begratefulifyouwill，butneverspeakunlessyouarespokento。’

Whentheprincesteppedoverthethresholdhecaughtsightofamaidenofwonderfulbeauty，withbrowneyesandfaircurlyhair。

’Well！’theyoungmansaidtohimself，’iftheoldfellowhasmanydaughterslikethatIshouldnotmindbeinghisson—in—law。

ThisoneisjustwhatIadmire’;andhewatchedherlaythetable，bringinthefood，andtakeherseatbythefireasifshehadnevernoticedthatastrangemanwaspresent。Thenshetookoutaneedleandthread，andbegantodarnherstockings。Themastersatattablealone，andinvitedneitherhisnewservantnorthemaidtoeatwithhim。Neitherwastheoldgrandmotheranywheretobeseen。Hisappetitewastremendous:hesoonclearedallthedishes，andateenoughtosatisfyadozenmen。

Whenatlasthecouldeatnomorehesaidtothegirl，’Nowyoucanpickupthepieces，andtakewhatisleftintheironpotforyourowndinner，butgivethebonestothedog。’

Theprincedidnotatallliketheideaofdiningoffscraps，whichhehelpedthegirltopickup，but，afterall，hefoundthattherewasplentytoeat，andthatthefoodwasverygood。

Duringthemealhestolemanyglancesatthemaiden，andwouldevenhavespokentoher，butshegavehimnoencouragement。

Everytimeheopenedhismouthforthepurposeshelookedathimsternly，asiftosay，’Silence，’sohecouldonlylethiseyesspeakforhim。Besides，themasterwasstretchedonabenchbytheovenafterhishugemeal，andwouldhaveheardeverything。

Aftersupperthatnight，theoldmansaidtotheprince，’Fortwodaysyoumayrestfromthefatiguesofthejourney，andlookaboutthehouse。Butthedayafterto—morrowyoumustcomewithme，andIwillpointouttheworkyouhavetodo。Themaidwillshowyouwhereyouaretosleep。’

Theprincethought，fromthis，hehadleavetospeak，buthismasterturnedonhimwithafaceofthunderandexclaimed:

’Youdogofaservant！Ifyoudisobeythelawsofthehouseyouwillsoonfindyourselfaheadshorter！Holdyourtongue，andleavemeinpeace。’

Thegirlmadeasigntohimtofollowher，and，throwingopenadoor，noddedtohimtogoin。Hewouldhavelingeredamoment，forhethoughtshelookedsad，butdarednotdoso，forfearoftheoldman’sanger。

’Itisimpossiblethatshecanbehisdaughter！’hesaidtohimself，’forshehasakindheart。Iamquitesureshemustbethesamegirlwhowasbroughthereinsteadofme，soIamboundtoriskmyheadinthismadadventure。’Hegotintobed，butitwaslongbeforehefellasleep，andeventhenhisdreamsgavehimnorest。Heseemedtobesurroundedbydangers，anditwasonlythepowerofthemaidenwhohelpedhimthroughitall。

Whenhewokehisfirstthoughtswereforthegirl，whomhefoundhardatwork。Hedrewwaterfromthewellandcarriedittothehouseforher，kindledthefireundertheironpot，and，infact，dideverythingthatcameintohisheadthatcouldbeofanyusetoher。Intheafternoonhewentout，inordertolearnsomethingofhisnewhome，andwonderedgreatlynottocomeacrosstheoldgrandmother。Inhisrambleshecametothefarmyard，whereabeautifulwhitehorsehadastalltoitself;inanotherwasablackcowwithtwowhite—facedcalves，whilethecluckingofgeese，ducks，andhensreachedhimfromadistance。

Breakfast，dinner，andsupperwereassavouryasbefore，andtheprincewouldhavebeenquitecontentwithhisquartershaditnotbeenforthedifficultyofkeepingsilenceinthepresenceofthemaiden。Ontheeveningoftheseconddayhewent，ashehadbeentold，toreceivehisordersforthefollowingmorning。

’Iamgoingtosetyousomethingveryeasytodoto—morrow，’

saidtheoldmanwhenhisservantentered。’Takethisscytheandcutasmuchgrassasthewhitehorsewillwantforitsday’sfeed，andcleanoutitsstall。IfIcomebackandfindthemangeremptyitwillgoillwithyou。Sobeware！’

Theprincelefttheroom，rejoicinginhisheart，andsayingtohimself，’Well，Ishallsoongetthroughthat！IfIhaveneveryethandledeithertheploughorthescythe，atleastIhaveoftenwatchedthecountrypeopleworkthem，andknowhoweasyitis。’

Hewasjustgoingtoopenhisdoor，whenthemaidenglidedsoftlypastandwhisperedinhisear:’Whattaskhashesetyou？’

’Forto—morrow，’answeredtheprince，’itisreallynothingatall！Justtocuthayforthehorse，andtocleanouthisstall！’

’Oh，lucklessbeing！’sighedthegirl;’howwillyouevergetthroughwithit。Thewhitehorse，whoisourmaster’sgrandmother，isalwayshungry:ittakestwentymenalwaysmowingtokeepitinfoodforoneday，andanothertwentytocleanoutitsstall。How，then，doyouexpecttodoitallbyyourself？

Butlistentome，anddowhatItellyou。Itisyouronlychance。Whenyouhavefilledthemangerasfullasitwillholdyoumustweaveastrongplaitoftherusheswhichgrowamongthemeadowhay，andcutathickpegofstoutwood，andbesurethatthehorseseeswhatyouaredoing。Thenitwillaskyouwhatitisfor，andyouwillsay，’WiththisplaitIintendtobindupyourmouthsothatyoucannoteatanymore，andwiththispegI

amgoingtokeepyoustillinonespot，sothatyoucannotscatteryourcornandwaterallovertheplace！’Afterthesewordsthemaidenwentawayassoftlyasshehadcome。