The master sat at table alone , and invited neither his new servant nor the maid to eat with him . Neither was the old grandmother anywhere to be seen . His appetite was tremendous : he soon cleared all the dishes , and ate enough to satisfy a dozen men . When at last he could eat no more he said to the girl , ` Now you can pick up the pieces , and take what is left in the iron pot for your own dinner , but give the bones to the dog . ' The prince did not at all like the idea of dining off scraps , which he helped the girl to pick up , but , after all , he found that there was plenty to eat , and that the food was very good . During the meal he stole many glances at the maiden , and would even have spoken to her , but she gave him no encouragement . Every time he opened his mouth for the purpose she looked at him sternly , as if to say , ` Silence , ' so he could only let his eyes speak for him . Besides , the master was stretched on a bench by the oven after his huge meal , and would have heard everything . After supper that night , the old man said to the prince , ` For two days you may rest from the fatigues of the journey , and look about the house . But the day after to-morrow you must come with me , and I will point out the work you have to do . The maid will show you where you are to sleep . ' The prince thought , from this , he had leave to speak , but his master turned on him with a face of thunder and exclaimed : ` You dog of a servant ! If you disobey the laws of the house you will soon find yourself a head shorter ! Hold your tongue , and leave me in peace . ' The girl made a sign to him to follow her , and , throwing open a door , nodded to him to go in . He would have lingered a moment , for he thought she looked sad , but dared not do so , for fear of the old man 's anger . ` It is impossible that she can be his daughter ! ' he said to himself , ` for she has a kind heart . I am quite sure she must be the same girl who was brought here instead of me , so I am bound to risk my head in this mad adventure . ' He got into bed , but it was long before he fell asleep , and even then his dreams gave him no rest .
He seemed to be surrounded by dangers , and it was only the power XXXXX the maiden who helped him through it all .
Besides If after at before for in like of that