"
And he went off home as quickly as he could, before Managing Molly
could call upon him to be married; for she was so managing that he was
more than half afraid of her already.
When Molly found that he had gone, she sent the farmer after him.
"What does he want?" cried the Ogre, when they told him the farmer was
at the door.
"He says the bride is waiting for you," was the reply.
"Tell him I'm too ill to be married," said the Ogre.
But the messenger soon returned:
"He says she wants to know what you will give her to make up for the
disappointment."
"She's got the dowry, and the farm, and the feather-bed," groaned the
Ogre; "what more does she want?"
But again the messenger returned:
"She says you've pressed the feather-bed flat, and she wants some more
goose feathers."
"There are geese enough in the yard," yelled the Ogre, "Let him drive
them home; and if he has another word to say, put him down to roast."
The farmer, who overheard this order, lost no time in taking his
leave, and as he passed through the yard he drove home as fine a flock
of geese as you will see on a common.
It is said that the Ogre never recovered from the effects of sleeping
on the old woman's goose feathers, and was less powerful than before.
As for Managing Molly, being now well dowered, she had no lack of
offers of marriage, and was soon mated to her mind.
THE MAGICIANS' GIFTS.
There was once a king in whose dominions lived no less than three
magicians.
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