Part 13 (1/2)
The merchant's daughter at first did not answer; but, as he kept on calling to her, she finally asked him what it was that he wanted.
”I have left my charm behind!” he cried. ”Pray let me enter to get it.
I promise you I will do you no harm.”
”I do not trust your promises,” replied the little maid. ”You shall not come into my father's house.”
”Pa.s.s the charm out to me, then,” said the robber.
”It's in the fire,” replied the girl.
”Go throw vinegar on the fire and put it out,” said the captain of the thieves. ”Then you can pull my charm out in safety.”
Now it happened that there was a little hole in the door just large enough for a man's hand to enter. It is the hole through which beggars often thrust outstretched hands, asking for alms.
”Put your hand through the hole in the door,” replied the little maid.
”Then I'll give you your charm.”
She quickly ran upstairs and got the robber's sword which he had left on a chair in the dining room. When she returned, his hand was sticking through the hole in the door. She struck it with all her might with the great sword and cut it off.
The cries and curses of the robbers filled the air. They tried in vain to break down the great doors. The doors were strong and held securely. At last it was daylight and the band of thieves had to flee.
In the morning the effect of the sleeping powder wore off and the two elder sisters awoke. When they heard their sister's story they were filled with amazement.
”I don't believe a word of it!” cried the oldest. ”You are making it up.”
”You had a bad dream,” said the second. ”I had such a nightmare myself that I have a headache this morning.”
It was not until their little sister had shown them the robber's hand and the great sword that they were convinced that she had told them the truth.
”Oh, why did we ever let the man into our house!” cried the eldest.
”Oh, why didn't we keep our promise to our father!” cried the middle one.
When at last the merchant returned from the distant city where he had been to collect money he was delighted to find his house and his three daughters safe.
”I see that no harm befell you in my absence,” he said as he embraced them fondly. ”All my worries about you were foolish.”
The eldest daughter blushed and hung her head. ”Great danger threatened us while you were away,” she said. ”Thanks to our youngest sister, we are safe.”
”Our little sister was wiser than we were,” said the middle daughter.
When the merchant had heard the whole story, he said: ”After this we must all give ear to the wisdom of this little maid. She is wise beyond her years.”
MANOEL LITTLEBEAN
_The Story of How He Helped His Father_
Long ago there lived a man and his wife who had no children.