Page:Tales from the Fjeld.djvu/409

Rh But that night there was one of the workmen who worked in a room next to theirs. He heard the weeping and knew how things stood, and next day he told the prince that she must be come, that princess who was to set him free.

That day it was just the same story with the napkin as with the scissors and the flask. When it was about dinner-time the princess went outside the castle, took out the napkin, and said, "Napkin, spread yourself out and be covered with all dainty dishes," and there was meat enough, and to spare, for hundreds of men; but the princess sat down to table by herself.

So when the old hag set her eyes on the napkin, she wanted to buy it, "For all their roasting and boiling is worth nothing, we have too many mouths to feed."

But the princess said, "It was not for sale for money, but if she might have leave to sleep with her sweetheart that night, she might have it."

"Well, she might do so and welcome," said the old hag; "but she must first lull him off to sleep, and wake him up in the morning."

So when he was going to bed, she came with the sleeping draught; but this time he was aware of her, and made as though he slept. But the old hag did not trust him for all that, for she took a pin and stuck it into his arm to try if he were sound asleep; but for all the pain it gave him he did not stir a bit, and so the princess got leave to come in to him.

Then everything was soon set right between them; and if they could only get rid of the old hag, he would be free. So he got the carpenters to make him a