Page 276 sur 626

Catherine, who had the door on her shoulder, began to be very

tired; but she thought it was the nuts upon it that were so

heavy: so she said softly, 'Frederick, I must let the nuts go.'

'No,' answered he, 'not now, they will discover us.' 'I can't

help that: they must go.' 'Well, then, make haste and throw them

down, if you will.' Then away rattled the nuts down among the

boughs and one of the thieves cried, 'Bless me, it is hailing.'

A little while after, Catherine thought the door was still very

heavy: so she whispered to Frederick, 'I must throw the vinegar

down.' 'Pray don't,' answered he, 'it will discover us.' 'I can't

help that,' said she, 'go it must.' So she poured all the vinegar

down; and the thieves said, 'What a heavy dew there is!'