There was the king, walking up and down, and fussing and fuming with anger till he was all of a heat.
“See, now,” says he, as soon as he saw Caspar, “what did you call me an old hunks for?”
“I didn’t call you an old hunks,” said Caspar.
“Yes, you did,” said the king.
“No, I didn’t,” said Caspar.
“Yes, you did,” said the king, “for these three lads told me so.”
“Prut!” said Caspar, “who would believe what they say? Why, they would just as lief tell you that this horse and saddle and bridle belong to them.”
“And so they do!” bawled the three rogues.
“See there, now,” said Caspar.
The king scratched his head, for here was a tangled knot, for certain. “Yes, yes,” said he, “these fellows are fooling either Caspar or me, and we are both in the same tub, for the matter of that. Take them away and whip them!” So it was done as he said, and that was all that they got for their trouble.