` Because of a service you did me last winter , which I have never forgotten , ' answered the little fellow . ` You know , I am sure , that the korigans -LSB- FN # 3 : The spiteful fairies . -RSB- who dwell in the White Corn country have declared war on my people , because they say that they are the friends of man . We were therefore obliged to take refuge in distant lands , and to hide ourselves at first under different animal shapes . Since that time , partly from habit and partly to amuse ourselves , we have continued to transform ourselves , and it was in this way that I got to know you . ' ` How ? ' exclaimed Jegu , filled with astonishment . ` Do you remember when you were digging in the field near the river , three months ago , you found a robin redbreast caught in a net ? ` Yes , ' answered Jegu , ' I remember it very well , and I opened the net and let him go . ' ` Well , I was that robin redbreast , and ever since I have vowed to be your friend , and as you want to marry Barbaik , I will prove the truth of what I say by helping you to do so . ' ` Ah ! my little brownie , if you can do that , there is nothing I wo n't give you , except my soul . ' ` Then let me alone , ' rejoined the dwarf , ` and I promise you that in a very few months you shall be master of the farm and of Barbaik . ' ` But how are you going to do it ? ' exclaimed Jegu wonderingly . ` That is my affair . Perhaps I may tell you later . Meanwhile you just eat and sleep , and do n't worry yourself about anything . ' Jegu declared that nothing could be easier , and then taking off his hat , he thanked the dwarf heartily , and led his horses back to the farm . Next morning was a holiday , and Barbaik was awake earlier than usual , as she wished to get through her work as soon as possible , and be ready to start for a dance which was to be held some distance off .
She went first to the cow-house , which it was her duty to keep clean , but to her amazement she found fresh straw put down , the racks filled XXXXX hay , the cows milked , and the pails standing neatly in a row .
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