Time after time he walked round it , trying to find some knots , however small , where he could put his feet , but the bark was quite smooth , and he soon saw that if he was to reach the top at all , it must be by climbing up with his knees like a sailor . But then he was a king 's son and not a sailor , which made all the difference . However , it was no use standing there staring at the fir , at least he must try to do his best , and try he did till his hands and knees were sore , for as soon as he had struggled up a few feet , he slid back again . Once he climbed a little higher than before , and hope rose in his heart , then down he came with such force that his hands and knees smarted worse than ever . ` This is no time for stopping , ' said the voice of the giant 's daughter , as he leant against the trunk to recover his breath . ` Alas ! I am no sooner up than down , ' answered he . ` Try once more , ' said she , and she laid a finger against the tree and bade him put his foot on it . Then she placed another finger a little higher up , and so on till he reached the top , where the magpie had built her nest . ` Make haste now with the nest , ' she cried , ` for my father 's breath is burning my back , ' and down he scrambled as fast as he could , but the girl 's little finger had caught in a branch at the top , and she was obliged to leave it there . But she was too busy to pay heed to this , for the sun was getting high over the hills . ` Listen to me , ' she said . ` This night my two sisters and I will be dressed in the same garments , and you will not know me . But when my father says ` Go to thy wife , king 's son , ' come to the one whose right hand has no little finger . ' So he went and gave the eggs to the giant , who nodded his head . ` Make ready for thy marriage , ' cried he , ` for the wedding shall take place this very night , and I will summon thy bride to greet thee . ' Then his three daughters were sent for , and they all entered dressed in green silk of the same fashion , and with golden circlets round their heads . The king 's son looked from one to another . Which was the youngest ? Suddenly his eyes fell on the hand of the middle one , and there was no little finger .
` Thou hast aimed well this time too , ' said the giant , XXXXX the king 's son laid his hand on her shoulder , ` but perhaps we may meet some other way ' ; and though he pretended to laugh , the bride saw a gleam in his eye which warned her of danger .
So as at for from in of on that to