صفحة 274 من 626

Catherine did as he told her, and thought to herself by the way,

'Frederick wants something to eat; but I don't think he is very

fond of butter and cheese: I'll bring him a bag of fine nuts, and

the vinegar, for I have often seen him take some.'

When she reached home, she bolted the back door, but the front

door she took off the hinges, and said, 'Frederick told me to

lock the door, but surely it can nowhere be so safe if I take it

with me.' So she took her time by the way; and when she overtook

her husband she cried out, 'There, Frederick, there is the door

itself, you may watch it as carefully as you please.' 'Alas!

alas!' said he, 'what a clever wife I have! I sent you to make

the house fast, and you take the door away, so that everybody may

go in and out as they please--however, as you have brought the

door, you shall carry it about with you for your pains.' 'Very

well,' answered she, 'I'll carry the door; but I'll not carry the

nuts and vinegar bottle also--that would be too much of a load;

so if you please, I'll fasten them to the door.'