` True ; it is not here that I wish to be , ' answered the king 's son . ` What reward wilt thou give me if I put it back in the bundle ? ' asked the giant . ` What reward dost thou ask ? ' answered the king 's son . ` The first boy thou hast when he is seven years old , ' said the giant . ` If I have a boy thou shalt get him , ' answered the king 's son , and as he spoke the castle and the orchard were tied up in the bundle again . ` Now take thy road , and I will take mine , ' said the giant . ` And if thou forgettest thy promise , I will remember it . ' Light of heart the king 's son went on his road , till he came to the green valley near his father 's palace . Slowly he unloosed the bundle , fearing lest he should find nothing but a heap of stones or rags . But no ! all was as it had been before , and as he opened the castle door there stood within the most beautiful maiden that ever was seen . ` Enter , king 's son , ' said she , ` all is ready , and we will be married at once , ' and so they were . The maiden proved a good wife , and the king 's son , now himself a king , was so happy that he forgot all about the giant . Seven years and a day had gone by , when one morning , while standing on the ramparts , he beheld the giant striding towards the castle . Then he remembered his promise , and remembered , too , that he had told the queen nothing about it . Now he must tell her , and perhaps she might help him in his trouble . The queen listened in silence to his tale , and after he had finished , she only said : ` Leave thou the matter between me and the giant , ' and as she spoke , the giant entered the hall and stood before them . ` Bring out your son , ' cried he to the king , ` as you promised me seven years and a day since . '
The king glanced XXXXX his wife , who nodded , so he answered : ` Let his mother first put him in order , ' and the queen left the hall , and took the cook 's son and dressed him in the prince 's clothes , and led him up to the giant , who held his hand , and together they went out along the road .
If about as at in near on since till to