when mid-day came, the king wished to call them to come to dinner, but they were nowhere to be found. he sought them everywhere in the palace and garden, but could not find them. then he was much troubled, and made known to the whole land that whosoever brought his daughters back again should have one of them to wife. hereupon so many young men went about the country in search, that there was no counting them, for every one loved the three children because they were so kind to all, and so fair of face. three young huntsmen also went out, and when they had travelled about for eight days, they arrived at a great castle, in which were beautiful apartments, and in one room a table was laid on which were delicate dishes which were still so warm that they were smoking, but in the whole of the castle no human being was either to be seen or heard. they waited there for half a day, and the food still remained warm and smoking, and at length they were so hungry that they sat down and ate, and agreed with each other that they would stay and live in that castle, and that one of them, who should be chosen by casting lots, should remain in the house, and the two others seek the king’s daughters. they cast lots, and the lot fell on the eldest; so next day the two younger went out to seek, and the eldest had to stay home. at mid-day came a small, small mannikin and begged for a piece of bread, then the huntsman took the bread which he had found there, and cut a round off the loaf and was about to give it to him, but whilst he was giving it to the mannikin, the latter let it fall, and asked the huntsman to be so good as to give him that piece again. the huntsman was about to do so and stooped, on which the mannikin took a stick, seized him by the hair, and gave him a good beating. next day, the second stayed at home, and he fared no better. when the two others returned in the evening, the eldest said, "well, how have you got on?"