HANS HUMDRUM
hungry, indeed!" "Look at the writing above the door, Peter," continued the farmer, smiling blandly at him. Peter read the same words as on the day before: "No breakfast until to-morrow." "Yes," he said, "this is to-morrow, and I am tired of such foolishness. One cannot work without eating." "You are not angry, I suppose," resumed the farmer, just as kindly as before. Yes—and Peter swore to it—he was angry, for that was not the right way to treat the servants. "Well," said the troll, "no doubt you remember the agreement between us!" In less time than it can be told Peter received as sound a thrashing as he had ever dreamed of, and the next moment he found himself outside of the gate, sore all over his body, and hardly able to walk away. It took him many days to return home, and he was obliged to stay in bed for quite a length of time. His parents gave him no consolation, but told him that he had behaved himself in a wrong manner. No doubt his Master had only wished to put him to a test; a bushel of dollars was too good wages to throw away in such a careless manner.
Paul now set out to find the place. He had a large package of bread-and-butter and his clothes in a bundle, and when he followed the road which Peter had pointed out for him he was fortunate enough to meet the farmer, who came driving along. He stopped and asked Paul where he was going, and when he learned that the boy was seeking a place, he offered him one. The agreement was the
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