‘It seems to me,’ said the old fellow, ‘that a boy should give way to an old man.’
‘The path is for me as well as for you,’ answered young Hans saucily, for he had never been taught politeness.
‘Well, that’s true enough,’ answered the other mildly. ‘And where are you going?’
‘I am going into service,’ said Hans.
‘Then you can come and serve me,’ replied the man.
Well, Hans could do that; but what would his wages be?
‘Two pounds a year, and nothing to do but keep some rooms clean,’ said the new-comer.
This seemed to Hans to be easy enough; so he agreed to enter the old man’s service, and they set out together. On their way they crossed a deep valley and came to a mountain, where the man opened a trap-door, and bidding Hans follow him, he crept in and began to go down a long flight of steps. When they got to the bottom Hans saw a large number of rooms lit by many lamps and full of beautiful things. While he was looking round the old man said to him:
‘Now you know what you have to do. You must keep these rooms clean, and strew sand on the floor every day. Here is a table where you will always find food and drink, and there is your bed. You see there are a great many suits of clothes hanging on the wall, and you may wear any you please; but remember that you are never to open this locked door. If you do ill will befall you. Farewell, for I am going away again and cannot tell when I may return.’
No sooner had the old man disappeared than Hans sat down to a good meal, and after that went to bed and slept until the morning. At first he could not remember what had happened to him, but by-and-by he jumped up and went into all the rooms, which he examined carefully.