DANISH FAIRY AND FOLK TALES
wholesome soup. Afterwards the troll gave the old man a sack filled with money, whereupon they separated, the man returning home. When he arrived not very far from his house, he suddenly remembered that one of his cows was sick, so he left the sack in the road, and, hurrying on, asked his wife if the cow had died.
"What are you thinking of!" exclaimed she; "no cow has died." "Well," answered he, "then you must come out and help me carry in a sack of money." "A sack of money!" repeated his wife, very much astonished. "Yes," replied he, "a sack of money, indeed. Is that so remarkable?" Although she did not trust his story, she obeyed, and followed him to the place. But when they arrived there no money was to be found. A thief, in the mean time, had carried it away. Now the wife became angry and grumbled at her husband. "Well, well," he said; "never mind the money! I learned something which I will not forget." "What did you learn?" inquired she. "Never mind!" repeated he. "I will not forget it."
Some time after, the man desired to visit his second oldest daughter. His wife again handed him a loaf of dry bread, and when he became hungry and thirsty he seated himself on the eastern side of a hill and commenced eating. While he was thus engaged his second oldest daughter came out of the hill and asked him to step in, which he did cheerfully enough. Soon afterwards the troll, her
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