So after he had walked the whole day, he too came at dusk to the king’s palace. There stood the King out on the steps, and asked whither he was bound.
“Oh”, said Boots, “I’m going about seeing if I can hear of a place.”
“Whence do you come then?” said the King, for he wanted to know a little more about them before he took any one into his service.
So Boots said whence he came, and how he was brother to those two who had watched the king’s seven foals, and ended by asking if he might try to watch them next day.
“Oh, stuff!” said the King, for he got quite cross if he even thought of them; “if you’re brother to those two, you’re not worth much, I’ll be bound. I’ve had enough of such scamps.”
“Well”, said Boots; but since I’ve come so far, I may just as well get leave to try, I too.”
“Oh, very well; with all my heart”, said the King, “if you will have your back flayed, you’re quite welcome.”
“I’d much rather have the Princess”, said Boots.
So next morning, at gray of dawn, the coachman let out the seven foals again, and away they went over hill and dale, through bush and bog, and Boots behind them. And so, when he too had run a long while, he came to the cleft in the rock, where the old hag sat, spinning at her distaff. So she bawled out to Boots:
“Come hither, come hither, my pretty son, and let me comb your hair.”