asked the head from its corner , when it saw how sad they looked . ` Well , then , go at midnight , good mother , to the bridge , and call out `` Mahomet ! '' three times , as loud as you can . A negro will appear in answer , and you must tell him to open the trunk , and to give you the red purse which he will find there . ' The old woman did not need twice telling , but set off at once for the bridge . ` Mahomet ! Mahomet ! Mahomet ! ' cried she , with all her might ; and in an instant a negro , still larger than the last , stood before her . ` What do you want ? ' asked he . ` The head , your master , bids you open the trunk , and to give me the red purse which you will find in it . ' ` Very well , good mother , I will do so , ' answered the negro , and , the moment after he had vanished , he reappeared with the purse in his hand . This time the money seemed so endless that the old woman built herself a new house , and filled it with the most beautiful things that were to be found in the shops . Her daughters were always wrapped in veils that looked as if they were woven out of sunbeams , and their dresses shone with precious stones . The neighbours wondered where all this sudden wealth had sprung from , but nobody knew about the head . ` Good mother , ' said the head , one day , ` this morning you are to go to the city and ask the sultan to give me his daughter for my bride . ' ` Do what ? ' asked the old woman in amazement . ` How can I tell the sultan that a head without a body wishes to become his son-in-law ?
They will think that I am mad , and I shall be hooted XXXXX the palace and stoned by the children . '
after before for from in than that to with without