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THE TWELVE BROTHERS
51

yourself under this tub, and when the others return, I will soon come to an understanding with them."

The sister did as she was bid, and as soon as it was dark, in came the brothers from hunting.

They sat down to their supper, and while eating and drinking, asked, "Well, Benjamin, what news have you to tell us?"

"Have you yourselves heard nothing," said Benjamin.

"Nothing," they replied.

"That is strange," continued Benjamin, "for you have been out all day, and I have only been in the house, and yet. I know more than you."

"What is it?" they all cried at once, "tell us what it is."

"Only on condition," said Benjamin, "that you promise me not to kill the first girl you see."

"We promise, we promise; she shall find mercy at our hands," they all cried again, "only let us hear your news."

Benjamin went to the tub, and, lifting it up, said, "Our sister is here," and the king's daughter stepped forth in her royal attire, with the gold star on her forehead, and stood before them full of tenderness, grace, and beauty. When the brothers saw her, they greatly loved her, and came about her and kissed her, and there was great rejoicing among them.

So now the sister stayed at home with Benjamin and helped him in the house, while the others continued to hunt in the wood for game. Among other things, she gathered the wood for cooking, and the herbs for vegetables, and put the pots and kettles on the fire, so that there might always be food ready for her brothers when they came in. She kept the house in beautiful order,