BEND THE BOUGH IN TIME
HERE were once a man and his wife who had three daughters, Karèn, Marèn and Metté. They were all fine-looking girls, but wicked and ill-natured in disposition, and Metté was the worst and most disagreeable of all. In the course of time suitors came for Karèn and Marèn; but many days passed before any one ventured to woo Metté. At length, however, a suitor arrived, coming of course from far away. Three times the marriage was to be announced from the church pulpit, and on the third day after the last announcement, at such and such a time, the ceremony was to be performed; this was his wish.
On the appointed day the man and his wife went with their daughter to the church, but they were obliged to wait a long time for the bridegroom. Finally he made his appearance, riding on an old gray horse, with a rifle across his back, and a pair of large mittens on his hands. A big dog followed him. As soon as the marriage ceremony was over, he said to his wife: "Get up on the horse in front
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