He sent for his oldest daughter and presently she appeared. Her horns were long and thick.
“Take me! Take me!” she whispered hoarsely as she passed Matti.
“See what a fine girl she is!” the King said, “and what well grown horns she has!”
But Matti shook his head.
“No, Your Majesty, I don’t think I want to marry this one.”
“Of course you must follow the dictates of your heart,” the King said drily. “However, come to think of it, my second daughter also has horns. Maybe you’d like to consider her.”
So the second daughter was called in. Her horns were not so large as her sister’s nor was her voice so hoarse. But Matti, remembering the Servant’s warning, refused her, too. The King seemed surprised and even annoyed that Matti should refuse his daughters so glibly, but when he found that Matti was firm he said:
“I have got another daughter, my youngest, but, if it’s horns you’re looking for, I don’t believe you’ll be interested in her at all since her horns are so small and soft that they are hardly noticeable at all. However, as you’re here, you might as well see her.”
