Just then the soldier’s nose began to itch and tickle, so that, for the life of him, he could not help sneezing.
“At-tchew!”—and there it was.
“Hark, brothers!” said the third giant, “yonder is somebody in the chest!”
So the three giants came and opened the chest, and there were the soldier and the princess. Trouble was there too, but the giants saw nothing of him.
They bound the soldier with strong cords so that they might have him to eat for breakfast in the morning.
And now what was to be done with the princess?
“See, brothers,” said the first giant, “I am thinking that a wife will about fit my needs. This lass will do as well as any, and, as I found her, I will just keep her.”
“Prut! how you talk!” said the second giant, “do you think that nobody is to marry in the wide world but you? Who was it brought the lass to the house I should like to know! No; I will marry her myself.”
“Stop!” said the third giant. “You are both going too fast on that road. I thought of a wife long before either of you. Who was it found that the lass was in the house, I should like to know!”