` What is the use of talking , ' he replied roughly , ` when a good-for-nothing creature like that can hear all we say ? ' ` Oh , you must n't lose time in grumbling , ' rejoined the donkey gaily , ` and do n't you see that the wizard is asleep ? ' ` His wicked pranks do not make him rich , certainly , ' said the ox , ` and he is n't even clever enough to have found out what a piece of luck might befall him a week hence . ' ` What piece of luck ? ' asked the donkey . ` Why , do n't you know , ' inquired the ox , ` that once very hundred years the stones on Plouhinec heath go down to drink at the river , and that while they are away the treasures underneath them are uncovered ? ' ` Ah , I remember now , ' replied the donkey , ` but the stones return so quickly to their places , that you certainly would be crushed to death unless you have in your hands a bunch of crowsfoot and of five-leaved trefoil . ' ` Yes , but that is not enough , ' said the ox ; ` even supposing you get safely by , the treasure you have brought with you will crumble into dust if you do not give in exchange a baptised soul . It is needful that a Christian should die before you can enjoy the wealth of Plouhinec . ' The donkey was about to ask some further questions , when she suddenly found herself unable to speak : the time allowed them for conversation was over . ` Ah , my dear creatures , ' thought the beggar , who had of course heard everything , ` you are going to make me richer than the richest men of Vannes or Lorient . But I have no time to lose ; to-morrow I must begin to hunt for the precious plants . ' He did not dare to seek too near Plouhinec , lest somebody who knew the story might guess what he was doing , so he went away further towards the south , where the air was softer and the plants are always green . From the instant it was light , till the last rays had faded out of the sky , he searched every inch of ground where the magic plants might grow ; he scarcely gave himself a minute to eat and drink , but at length he found the crowsfoot in a little hollow ! Well , that was certainly a great deal , but after all , the crowsfoot was of no use without the trefoil , and there was so little time left . He had almost give up hope , when on the very last day before it was necessary that he should start of Plouhinec , he came upon a little clump of trefoil , half hidden under a rock . Hardly able to breathe from excitement , he sat down and hunted eagerly through the plant which he had torn up . Leaf after leaf he threw aside in disgust , and he had nearly reached the end when he gave a cry of joy -- the five-leaved trefoil was in his hand . The beggar scrambled to his feet , and without a pause walked quickly down the road that led northwards . The moon was bright , and for some hours he kept steadily on , not knowing how many miles he had gone , nor even feeling tired .
By and bye the sun rose , and the world began to stir , and stopping at a farmhouse door , he asked XXXXX a cup of milk and slice of bread and permission to rest for a while in the porch .
From after before down for like than till towards without