If you go on like this you will die . ' ' I would rather die than not know what is in that tureen , ' she burst forth so violently that the husband was quite startled . ` Is that it ? ' cried he ; ` are you making yourself miserable because of that ? Why , you know we should be turned out of the palace , and sent away to starve . ' ` Oh no , we should n't . The king is too good-natured . Of course he did n't mean a little thing like this ! Besides , there is no need to lift the lid off altogether . Just raise one corner so that I may peep . We are quite alone : nobody will ever know . ' The man hesitated : it did seem a ` little thing , ' and if it was to make his wife contented and happy it was well worth the risk . So he took hold of the handle of the cover and raised it very slowly and carefully , while the woman stooped down to peep . Suddenly she startled back with a scream , for a small mouse had sprung from the inside of the tureen , and had nearly hit her in the eye . Round and round the room it ran , round and round they both ran after it , knocking down chairs and vases in their efforts to catch the mouse and put it back in the tureen . In the middle of all the noise the door opened , and the mouse ran out between the feet of the king . In one instant both the man and his wife were hiding under the table , and to all appearance the room was empty . ` You may as well come out , ' said the king , ` and hear what I have to say . ' ' I know what it is , ' answered the charcoal-burner , hanging his head . The mouse has escaped . ' '
A guard XXXXX soldiers will take you back to your hut , ' said the king .
Besides between from if in of than while with worth