The people downstairs said: “Who in the world is coming now?”
When they were both on the roof, the elder brother said: “You go down first.”
“I will do nothing of the kind,” said the other, “you are the elder.”
The people downstairs called out: “Who comes there?”
“See what you have done, you simpleton!” said the elder brother. Then with a great deal of dignity he walked down the ladder. The younger one came tumbling down, carrying his string of rats.
“Throw it out, you fool; they don’t want rats!” said the elder one.
“Yes, they do,” replied the other. “The girl will want these; maybe she will marry us on account of them!”
The elder brother was terribly disturbed, but the other brought his rats in and laid them in the middle of the floor.
The father looked up, and said: “You come?”
“Yes,” answered the two odd ones.