` Do give me a basket of them . It will bring you luck ! ' ` Ah , little fox , but if I give you a basketful , what am I to eat ? ' asked the boy . ` Oh , trust me , and do what I tell you , ' said the fox ; ' I know it will bring you luck . ' So the boy got up and picked some of the ripest pears and put them into a rush basket . The fox thanked him , and , taking the basket in his mouth , trotted off to the king 's palace and made his way straight to the king . ` Your Majesty , my master sends you a few of his best pears , and begs you will graciously accept them , ' he said , laying the basket at the feet of the king . ` Pears ! at this season ? ' cried the king , peering down to look at them ; ` and , pray , who is your master ? ' ` The Count Piro , ' answered the fox . ` But how does he manage to get pears in midwinter ? ' asked the king . ` Oh , he has everything he wants , ' replied the fox ; ` he is richer even than you are , your Majesty . ' ` Then what can I send him in return for his pears ? ' said the king . ` Nothing , your Majesty , or you would hurt his feelings , ' answered the fox . ` Well , tell him how heartily I thank him , and how much I shall enjoy them . ' And the fox went away .
He trotted back XXXXX the cottage with his empty basket and told his tale , but the youth did not seem as pleased to hear as the fox was to tell .
Piro So at basketful if in into of than to