So Halfman slowly drew her up , and when she was near the top he let go the rope , and she fell down and broke her neck . Then Halfman heaved a great sigh and said , ` That was hard work ; the rope has hurt my hands badly , but now I am rid of her for ever . ' So Halfman came down from the tower , and went on , till he got to a desert place , and as he was very tired , he lay down to sleep . While it was still dark , an ogress passed by , and she woke him and said , ` Halfman , to-morrow your brother is to marry your wife . ' ` Oh , how can I stop it ? ' asked he . ` Will you help me ? ' ` Yes , I will , ' replied the ogress . ` Thank you , thank you ! ' cried Halfman , kissing her on the forehead . ` My wife is dearer to me than anything else in the world , and it is not my brother 's fault that I am not dead long ago . ' ` Very well , I will rid you of him , ' said the ogress , ` but only on one condition . If a boy is born to you , you must give him to me ! ' ` Oh , anything , ' answered Halfman , ` as long as you deliver me from my brother , and get me my wife . ' ` Mount on my back , then , and in a quarter of an hour we shall be there . ' The ogress was as good as her word , and in a few minutes they arrived at the outskirts of the town where Halfman and his brothers lived . Here she left him , while she went into the town itself , and found the wedding guests just leaving the brother 's house . Unnoticed by anyone , the ogress crept into a curtain , changing herself into a scorpion , and when the brother was going to get into bed , she stung him behind the ear , so that he fell dead where he stood . Then she returned to Halfman and told him to go and claim his bride . He jumped up hastily from his seat , and took the road to his father 's house .
As he drew near he heard sounds of weeping and lamentations , and he said XXXXX a man he met : ` What is the matter ? '
If at from in into on than that till to