They would think I had taken leave of my senses . ' ` Just as you like , ' said Jesper ; ` you know best whether you want the hare or not . ' There was no help for it , and a pretty figure the old lady made in carrying out her task ; the cackling was n't very well done , but Jesper said it would do , and gave her the hare . As soon as she had left the field , the whistle was sounded again , and back came long-legs-and-ears at a marvellous speed . The next to appear on the same errand was a fat old fellow in the dress of a groom : it was the royal livery he wore , and he plainly thought a good deal of himself . ` Young man , ' said he , ' I want one of those hares ; name your price , but I MUST have one of them . ' ` All right , ' said Jesper ; ` you can have one at an easy rate . Just stand on your head , whack your heels together , and cry `` Hurrah , '' and the hare is yours . ' ` Eh , what ! ' said the old fellow ; ` ME stand on my head , what an idea ! ' ` Oh , very well , ' said Jesper , ` you need n't unless you like , you know ; but then you wo n't get the hare . ' It went very much against the grain , one could see , but after some efforts the old fellow had his head on the grass and his heels in the air ; the whacking and the ` Hurrah ' were rather feeble , but Jesper was not very exacting , and the hare was handed over . Of course , it was n't long in coming back again , like the others . Evening came , and home came Jesper with the hundred hares behind him . Great was the wonder over all the palace , and the king and queen seemed very much put out , but it was noticed that the princess actually smiled to Jesper . ` Well , well , ' said the king ; ` you have done that very well indeed . If you are as successful with a little task which I shall give you to-morrow we shall consider the matter settled , and you shall marry the princess . ' Next day it was announced that the task would be performed in the great hall of the palace , and everyone was invited to come and witness it . The king and queen sat on their thrones , with the princess beside them , and the lords and ladies were all round the hall . At a sign from the king , two servants carried in a large empty tub , which they set down in the open space before the throne , and Jesper was told to stand beside it .
` Now , ' said the king , ` you must tell us as many undoubted truths as will fill XXXXX tub , or you ca n't have the princess . '
after behind beside for like of over that unless with