“Well, where are you going?” said the baker.
“I am going to the king’s palace,” said the imp.
“Oho! I’d like to see you,” said the baker.
“Well, see me, then,” said the imp, as he jumped down and ran to the door, shouting, “Hurrah for King Caloric!”
“Come, come quickly! it is the king’s son,” said the maiden, seizing Tina by the hand.
Then they ran out of the door, and as they went, Tina saw the figure of the imp ahead of them grow larger and larger, until they came to an open field where the sun was shining brightly.
As soon as the first sunbeam struck the imp, he changed into a tall prince, with a golden crown on his head; but he looked thin and pale.
Presently a flock of twelve geese appeared, and one of them followed the prince, gently pulling his coat, till he turned round to look at it.
Then it ran on ahead until it came to a little brook, near to which a tree was growing.