ny were wondering what would be the end of the handsome
girl and the King, he and his Queen, _who_ they didn't know in her
fine clothes, came in, and such rejoicings and fine doings as there
was, none of us will ever see, anyway.

* * * * *

JACK AND HIS MASTER

ADAPTED BY JOSEPH JACOBS

A poor woman had three sons. The eldest and second eldest were
cunning, clever fellows, but they called the youngest Jack the Fool,
because they thought he was no better than a simpleton. The eldest got
tired of staying at home, and said he'd go look for service. He stayed
away a whole year, and then came back one day, dragging one foot after
the other, and a poor, wizened face on him, and he was as cross as two
sticks. When he was rested and had got something to eat, he told
them how he had taken service with the Gray Churl of the Townland of
Mischance, and that the agreement was whoever would first say he was
sorry for his bargain should get an inch wide of the skin of his back,
from shoulder to hips, taken off. If it was the master, he should also
pay double wages; if it was the servant, he should get no wages at
all. "But the thief," says he, "gave me so little to eat, and kept me
so hard at work, that flesh and blood couldn't stand it; and when he
asked me once, when I was in a passion, if I was sorry for my bargain,
I was mad enough to say I was, and here I am disabled for life."

Vexed enough were the poor mother and brothers; and the second eldest
said on the spot he'd go and take service with the Gray Churl, and
punish him by all the annoyance he'd give him till he'd make him say
he was sorry for his agreement. "Oh, won't I be glad to see the skin
coming off the old villain's back!" said he. All they could say had
no effect: he started off for the Townland of Mischance, and in a
twelvemonth he was back just as miserable and helpless as his brother.

All the poor mother could say didn't prevent Jack the Fool from
starting to see if he was able to regulate the Gray Churl. He agreed
with him for a year for twenty pounds, and the terms were the same.

"Now, Jack," said the Gray Churl, "if you refuse to do anything you
are able to do, you must lose a month's wages."

"I'm satisfied," said Jack; "and if you stop me from doing a thing
after telling me to do it, you are to give me an additional month's
wages."

"I am satisfied," said the master.

"Or if you blame me for obeying your or