Not that she wants them for herself , but they are sometimes useful to her in punishing her victims . However , this time we will get the better of her . ' Just as she had finished speaking the six thousand frogs returned , looking so strange with bees sticking to every part of them that , sad as she felt , the poor queen could not help laughing . The bees were all so stupefied with what they had eaten that it was possible to draw their stings without hunting them . So , with the help of her friend , the queen soon made ready her pasty and carried it to the Lion Fairy . ` Not enough pepper , ' said the giantess , gulping down large morsels , in order the hide the surprise she felt . ` Well , you have escaped this time , and I am glad to find I have got a companion a little more intelligent than the others I have tried . Now , you had better go and build yourself a house . ' So the queen wandered away , and picking up a small axe which lay near the door she began with the help of her friend the frog to cut down some cypress trees for the purpose . And not content with that the six thousand froggy servants were told to help also , and it was not long before they had built the prettiest little cabin in the world , and made a bed in one corner of dried ferns which they fetched from the top of the ten thousand steps . It looked soft and comfortable , and the queen was very glad to lie down upon it , so tired was she with all that had happened since the morning . Scarcely , however , had she fallen asleep when the lake monsters began to make the most horrible noises just outside , while a small dragon crept in and terrified her so that she ran away , which was just what the dragon wanted ! The poor queen crouched under a rock for the rest of the night , and the next morning , when she woke from her troubled dreams , she was cheered at seeing the frog watching by her . ' I hear we shall have to build you another palace , ' said she . ` Well , this time we wo n't go so near the lake . ' And she smiled with her funny wide mouth , till the queen took heart , and they went together to find wood for the new cabin . The tiny palace was soon ready , and a fresh bed made of wild thyme , which smelt delicious . Neither the queen nor the frog said anything about it , but somehow , as always happens , the story came to the ears of the Lion Fairy , and she sent a raven to fetch the culprit . ` What gods or men are protecting you ? ' she asked , with a frown .
` This earth , dried up by a constant rain XXXXX sulphur and fire , produces nothing , yet I hear that YOUR bed is made of sweet smelling herbs .
So about as at for in of while with without