Page:Danish fairy and folk tales.djvu/141

 "How does your Royal Highness do?" inquired John, bowing politely to the princess. "I give you the deuce," answered she. "How in the world does that concern you?" Poor John stood aghast at this answer. So surprised and shocked was he, that he did not know what to say. Of course he was done with at once, and taken through a side door to be hanged.

Now James entered the hall. He could not guess what had become of John in such a hurry, but stepped briskly forward, and, bowing to the princess, he said: "How is your Highness?" "Highness!" exclaimed the princess; "we will give you highness before very long, my good fellow!" James was absolutely dumfounded. "Don't forget what you wish to say," continued the princess, sneeringly. James could not, in fact, utter a single word, and so he was brought out and hanged.

"Are there more suitors?" inquired the princess. Yes; the door was opened, and in came Peter Fiddle-de-dee, dusty and exhausted. He had been walking all the way, and when he arrived at the palace the guard showed him all the gallows. He lost no time in looking at them, but asked to be conducted to the princess.

"How do you do, Miss Fickle?" said Peter. "How hot it is here!" "It is not warmer to-day than it was yesterday," answered the princess. "I wonder what you are using all that heat for," pursued he; "why, it is warm enough here for roasting a pig."