Page:Tales from the Fjeld.djvu/308

286 Yes, he too got leave to go with them and build their house; there was nothing more to be said about it.

When they had gone a bit farther they met a cock.

"Good day, good sirs," said the cock, "and thanks for our last merry meeting; whither are ye going to-day, gentlemen?"

"Good day, and the same to you," said the sheep; "at home we were too well off, and so we are going off to the wood to build us a house, and set up for ourselves; for he who out of doors shall bake, loses at last both coal and cake."

"Well," said the cock, "that's just my case; but it's better to sit on one's own perch, for then one can never be left in the lurch, and besides, all cocks crow loudest at home. Now, if I might have leave to join such a gallant company, I also would like to go to the wood and build a house."

"Ay, ay!" said the pig; "flapping and crowing sets tongues a-going, but a jaw on a stick never yet laid a brick. How can you ever help us to build a house?"

"Oh," said the cock, "that house will never have a clock where there is neither dog nor cock. I am up early, and I wake every one."

"Very true," said the pig; "the morning hour has a golden dower; let him come with us;" for, you must know, piggy was always the soundest sleeper. "Sleep is the biggest thief," he said; "he thinks nothing of stealing half one's life."

So they all set off to the wood as a band and brotherhood, and built the house. The pig hewed the timber, and the sheep drew it home; the hare was carpenter, and gnawed pegs and bolts, and hammered them into