Page:Tales from the Fjeld.djvu/192

170 "Don't you know," said the clerk, "that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, and he does it just nicely in one day?"

"Very well!" said the king; "but tell me now what you think I am worth, as you see me stand here?"

"Well," said the clerk, "our Lord was valued at thirty pieces of silver, so I don't think I can set your price higher than twenty-nine."

"All very fine!" said the king; "but as you are so wise, perhaps you can tell me what I am thinking about now?"

"Oh!" said the clerk, "you are thinking it's the priest who stands before you; but so help me if you don't think wrong, for I am the clerk."

"Be off home with you," said the king, "and be you priest, and let him be clerk;" and so it was.