` No , ' answered Ingiborg , ' he rode off hunting with his father this morning ' ; and going to the cupboard she laid the table for her sister . When they had finished their meal the giantess rose and said : ` Thank you for all these nice dishes , and for the best lamb , the best can of beer and the nicest drink I have ever had ; but -- is Prince Sigurd really not at home ? ' ` No , certainly not ! ' replied Ingiborg ; and with that they took leave of each other . When she was well out of sight Sigurd crept from under the table , and his stepmother declared that it was most important that he should not stay at home next day ; but he said he did not see what harm could come of it , and he did not mean to go out hunting , and the next morning , when the king prepared to start , Ingiborg implored Sigurd to accompany his father . But it was all no use , he was quite obstinate and would not listen to a word she said . ` You will have to hide me again , ' said he , so no sooner had the king gone than Ingiborg hid Sigurd between the wall and the panelling , and by-and-by there was heard once more a sound like an earthquake , as a great giantess , wading knee deep through the ground , came in at the door . ` Good day , Sister Ingiborg ! ' she cried , in a voice like thunder ; ` is Prince Sigurd at home ? ' ` Oh , no , ' answered Ingiborg , ` he is enjoying himself out there in the forest . I expect it will be quite dark before he comes back again . ' ` That 's a lie ! ' shouted the giantess . And they squabbled about it till they were tired , after which Ingiborg laid the table ; and when the giantess had done eating she said : ` Well , I must thank you for all these good things , and for the best lamb , the best can of beer and the best drink I have had for a long time ; but -- are you quite sure Prince Sigurd is not at home ? ' ` Quite , ' said Ingiborg . ` I 've told you already that he rode off with his father this morning to hunt in the forest . ' At this the giantess roared out with a terrible voice : ` If he is near enough to hear my words , I lay this spell on him : Let him be half scorched and half withered ; and may he have neither rest nor peace till he finds me . ' And with these words she stalked off . For a moment Ingiborg stood as if turned to stone , then she fetched Sigurd from his hiding-place , and , to her horror , there he was , half scorched and half withered . ` Now you see what has happened through your own obstinacy , ' said she ; ` but we must lose no time , for your father will soon be coming home . '
Going quickly into the next room she opened a chest and took out a ball of string and three gold rings , and gave them to Sigurd , saying : ` XXXXX you throw this ball on the ground it will roll along till it reaches some high cliffs .
If at before for in like near on so with