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 that tub , or you ca n't have the princess . ' ` But how are we to know when the tub is full ? ' said Jesper . ` Do n't you trouble about that , ' said the king ; ` that 's my part of the business . ' This seemed to everybody present rather unfair , but no one liked to be the first to say so , and Jesper had to put the best face he could on the matter , and begin his story . ` Yesterday , ' he said , ` when I was herding the hares , there came to me a girl , in a shabby dress , and begged me to give her one of them . She got the hare , but she had to give me a kiss for it ; AND THAT GIRL WAS THE PRINCESS . Is n't that true ? ' said he , looking at her . The princess blushed and looked very uncomfortable , but had to admit that it was true . ` That has n't filled much of the tub , ' said the king . ` Go on again . '
` After that , ' said Jesper , ' a stout old woman , in a peasant 's dress , came and begged XXXXX a hare .
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