When he had done this and again looked around , the two pieces had united , and a horrible-looking man sat on his seat . `` Come , '' said the youth , `` I did n't bargain for that , the seat is mine . '' The man tried to shove him away , but the youth would n't allow it for a moment , and , pushing him off by force , sat down in his place again . Then more men dropped down , one after the other , who fetching nine skeleton legs and two skulls , put them up and played ninepins with them . The youth thought he would like to play too , and said : `` Look here ; do you mind my joining the game ? '' `` No , not if you have money . '' `` I 've money enough , '' he replied , `` but your balls are n't round enough . '' Then he took the skulls , placed them on his lathe , and turned them till they were round . `` Now they 'll roll along better , '' said he , `` and houp-la ! now the fun begins . '' He played with them and lost some of his money , but when twelve struck everything vanished before his eyes . He lay down and slept peacefully . The next morning the King came , anxious for news . `` How have you got on this time ? '' he asked . `` I played ninepins , '' he answered , `` and lost a few pence . '' `` Did n't you shudder then ? '' `` No such luck , '' said he ; `` I made myself merry . Oh ! if I only knew what it was to shudder ! ''
On the third night he sat down again on his bench , and said , XXXXX the most desponding way : `` If I could only shudder ! ''
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