'See to it that you do not open!' insisted the younger one. But the youngest disregarded them both, and rushed to the gates.
''Tis I will open!' he flung back to them as they followed at his heels. 'Though the earth dissolve, what have we to fear? We have done no wrong!'
With this he flung the gates wide. There was no one there, but a sizzling light moved in towards them, and, out of the heart of it came a clear, cold voice:
'I have come to demand the hand of your eldest sister in marriage. Forbid me not. I await your consent, but, if you refuse, it will be at your peril.'
The eldest brother answered at once, without a glance at the other two: 'It is unheard of! I cannot see you; I do not know you; who is to know where or how you will bestow my sister? I might never see her again.' He turned to the younger one and added, 'What say you, brother?'
'For my part, I will not consent,' replied he readily. 'I like not these signs of ill omen.'
Then they both turned to the youngest.
'What say you, little brother?'
He was quick to answer:
'I obey my father, and counsel you to do the same. It is not that I fear his curse, but I love him, and will obey his wish.'