` They wo n't hurt you , ' said the horse ; ` they are just the daughters of the whirlwind amusing themselves while they are waiting for the ogre of the moon . ' Then he stopped in front of the house , and Petru jumped off and went to the door . ` Do not be in such a hurry , ' cried the horse . ` There are several things I must tell you first . You can not enter the house of the goddess Venus like that . She is always watched and guarded by the whirlwind . ' ` What am I to do then ? ' ` Take the copper wreath , and go with it to that little hill over there . When you reach it , say to yourself , `` Were there ever such lovely maidens ! such angels ! such fairy souls ! '' Then hold the wreath high in the air and cry , `` Oh ! if I knew whether any one would accept this wreath from me ... if I knew ! if I knew ! '' and throw the wreath from you ! ' ` And why should I do all this ? ' said Petru . ` Ask no questions , but go and do it , ' replied the horse . And Petru did . Scarcely had he flung away the copper wreath than the whirlwind flung himself upon it , and tore it in pieces .
Then Petru turned once more XXXXX the horse .
by from if in of than to upon whether while