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 to . Hans was to give up the ringing , and was to work like the rest from sunrise to sunset , with the exception of an hour after breakfast and an hour after dinner , when he might go to sleep . ` But , of course , ' added the minister carelessly , ` it may happen now and then , especially in winter , when the days are short , that you will have to work a little longer , to get something finished . ' ` Not at all ! ' answered Hans .
` Unless I were XXXXX leave off work earlier in summer , I will not do a stroke more than I have promised , and that is from dawn to dark ; so you know what you have to expect . '
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