` Yes , I will , ' replied the ogress . ` Thank you , thank you ! ' cried Halfman , kissing her on the forehead . ` My wife is dearer to me than anything else in the world , and it is not my brother 's fault that I am not dead long ago . ' ` Very well , I will rid you of him , ' said the ogress , ` but only on one condition . If a boy is born to you , you must give him to me ! ' ` Oh , anything , ' answered Halfman , ` as long as you deliver me from my brother , and get me my wife . ' ` Mount on my back , then , and in a quarter of an hour we shall be there . ' The ogress was as good as her word , and in a few minutes they arrived at the outskirts of the town where Halfman and his brothers lived . Here she left him , while she went into the town itself , and found the wedding guests just leaving the brother 's house . Unnoticed by anyone , the ogress crept into a curtain , changing herself into a scorpion , and when the brother was going to get into bed , she stung him behind the ear , so that he fell dead where he stood . Then she returned to Halfman and told him to go and claim his bride . He jumped up hastily from his seat , and took the road to his father 's house . As he drew near he heard sounds of weeping and lamentations , and he said to a man he met : ` What is the matter ? ' ` The judge 's eldest son was married yesterday , and died suddenly before night . ' ` Well , ' thought Halfman , ` my conscience is clear anyway , for it is quite plain he coveted my wife , and that is why he tried to drown me . ' He went at once to his father 's room , and found him sitting in tears on the floor . ` Dear father , ' said Halfman , ` are you not glad to see me ? You weep for my brother , but I am your son too , and he stole my bride from me and tried to drown me in the brook . If he is dead , I at least am alive . '
` No , no , he was better XXXXX you ! '
If as before for into near of on than while