They thought themselves so clever , that if they had known only half of what they did know , it would have been quite enough . They both wanted to marry the King 's daughter , for she had proclaimed that she would have for her husband the man who knew best how to choose his words . Both prepared for the wooing a whole week , which was the longest time allowed them ; but , after all , it was quite long enough , for they both had preparatory knowledge , and everyone knows how useful that is . One knew the whole Latin dictionary and also three years ' issue of the daily paper of the town off by heart , so that he could repeat it all backwards or forwards as you pleased . The other had worked at the laws of corporation , and knew by heart what every member of the corporation ought to know , so that he thought he could quite well speak on State matters and give his opinion . He understood , besides this , how to embroider braces with roses and other flowers , and scrolls , for he was very ready with his fingers . ' I shall win the king 's daughter ! ' they both cried . Their old father gave each of them a fine horse ; the one who knew the dictionary and the daily paper by heart had a black horse , while the other who was so clever at corporation law had a milk-white one . Then they oiled the corners of their mouths so that they might be able to speak more fluently . All the servants stood in the courtyard and saw them mount their steeds , and here by chance came the third brother ; for the squire had three sons , but nobody counted him with his brothers , for he was not so learned as they were , and he was generally called ` Blockhead-Hans . ' ` Oh , oh ! ' said Blockhead-Hans . ` Where are you off to ? You are in your Sunday-best clothes ! ' ` We are going to Court , to woo the Princess ! Do n't you know what is known throughout all the country side ? ' And they told him all about it . ` Hurrah ! I 'll go to ! '
cried Blockhead-Hans ; and the brothers laughed XXXXX him and rode off .
about after as at besides but in on that throughout