` You wretched little shrimp , ' replied Hans , ' a great deal of good your gratitude is likely to do me ! But as I happen to be feeling in a cheerful mood to-night I will let you have your life . But take care how you come across me again , or you may not escape so easily ! ' The headless man thanked him humbly , slid hastily down the bell rope , and ran down the steps of the tower as if he had left a fire behind him . Then Hans began to ring lustily . When the minister heard the sound of the midnight bells he wondered greatly , but rejoiced that he had at last found some one to whom he could trust this duty . Hans rang the bells for some time , then went to the hay-loft , and fell fast asleep . Now it was the custom of the minister to get up very early , and to go round to make sure that the men were all at their work . This morning everyone was in his place except Hans , and no one knew anything about him . Nine o'clock came , and no Hans , but when eleven struck the minister began to fear that he had vanished like the ringers who had gone before him . When , however , the servants all gathered round the table for dinner , Hans at last made his appearance stretching himself and yawning . ` Where have you been all this time ? ' asked the minister . ` Asleep , ' said Hans . ` Asleep ! ' exclaimed the minister in astonishment . ` You do n't mean to tell me that you can go on sleeping till mid-day ? ' ` That is exactly what I do mean , ' replied Hans . ` If one works in the night one must sleep in the day , just as if one works in the day one sleeps in the night . If you can find somebody else to ring the bells at midnight I am ready to begin work at dawn ; but if you want me to ring them I must go on sleeping till noon at the very earliest . '
The minister tried to argue the point with him , but at length the following agreement was come XXXXX .
If across as at down for in of that to