Then said he,
"After all it is a pity,---he is a handsome man." The youth heard it, got
up, and said, "It has not come to that yet." Then the King was astonished,
but very glad, and asked how he had fared. "Very well indeed," answered
he; "one night is past, the two others will get over likewise." Then
he went to the innkeeper, who opened his eyes very wide, and said, "I
never expected to see thee alive again! Hast thou learnt how to shudder
yet?" "No," said he, "it is all in vain. If some one would but tell me."
The second night he again went up into the old castle, sat down by the
fire, and once more began his old song, "If I could but shudder." When
midnight came, an uproar and noise of tumbling about was heard; at first
it was low, but it grew louder and louder. Then it was quiet for awhile,
and at length with a loud scream, half a man came down the chimney and
fell before him. "Hollo!" cried he, "another half belongs to this. This
is too little!" Then the uproar began again, there was a roaring and
howling, and the other half fell down likewise. "Wait," said he, "I
will just blow up the fire a little for thee.
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