There you must lie till I play on my guitar ; then get up and begin to dance . ' The wife made haste to do as she was bid , and there was no time to lose , for the robbers were drawing very near the house . They entered with a great noise , and overwhelmed the shoemaker with reproaches for having deceived them about the donkey . ` The poor beast must have lost its power owing to the change of masters , ' said he ; ` but we will not quarrel about it . You shall have back the fifty gold pieces that you gave for him . ` Aite , ' he cried to his wife , ` go quickly to the chest upstairs , and bring down the money for these gentlemen . ' ` Wait a little , ' answered she ; ' I must first bake this fish . It will be spoilt if I leave it now . ' ` Go this instant , as you are bid , ' shouted the shoemaker , stamping as if he was in a great passion ; but , as she did not stir , he drew his knife , and stabbed her in the neck . The blood spurted out freely , and she fell to the ground as if she was dead . ` What have you done ? ' asked the robbers , looking at him in dismay . ` The poor woman was doing nothing . ' ` Perhaps I was hasty , but it is easily set right , ' replied the shoemaker , taking down his guitar and beginning to play . Hardly had he struck the first notes than his wife sat up ; then got on her feet and danced . The robbers stared with open mouths , and at last they said , ` Master Joseph , you may keep the fifty gold pieces . But tell us what you will take for your guitar , for you must sell it to us ? ' ` Oh , that is impossible ! ' replied the shoemaker , ` for every time I have a quarrel with my wife I just strike her dead , and so give vent to my anger . This has become such a habit with me that I do n't think I could break myself of it ; and , of course , if I got rid of the guitar I could never bring her back to life again . '
However , the robbers would not listen to him , and XXXXX last he consented to take forty gold pieces for the guitar .
about as at for if in near than that with