Page:Tales from the Fjeld.djvu/307

Rh "With gossip and gabble is built neither house nor stable," said the pig; "let us know what you can do."

"By cunning and skill a cripple can do what he will," said the goose. "I can pluck moss and stuff it into the seams of the planks, and your house will be tight and warm."

Yes, they would give him leave, for, above all things, piggy wished to be warm and comfortable.

So when they had gone a bit farther—the goose had hard work to walk so fast—they met a hare, who came frisking out of the wood.

"Good day, good sirs, and thanks for our last merry meeting," she said; "how far are you trotting to-day?"

"Good day, and the same to you," said the sheep; "we were far too well off at home, and so we're going to the wood to build us a house, and set up for ourselves, for you know, try all the world round, there's nothing like home."

"As for that," said the hare, "I have a house in every bush—yes, a house in every bush; but yet, I have often said in winter, 'If I only live till summer, I'll build me a house;' and so I have half a mind to go with you and build one up, after all."

"Yes," said the pig, "if we ever get into a scrape, we might use you to scare away the dogs, for you don't fancy you could help us in house-building."

"He who lives long enough always finds work enough to do," said the hare. "I have teeth to gnaw pegs, and paws to drive them into the wall, so I can very well set up to be a carpenter; for 'good tools make good work,' as the man said when he flayed the mare with a gimlet."