but just then the bear curled himself up and lay down by the stove; and it was settled at last that the princess should sleep there too, with a light burning. but as soon as the king had well gone, the white bear came and begged her to undo his collar. the princess was so scared she almost swooned away; but she felt about till she found the collar, and she had scarce undone it before the bear pulled his head off. then she knew him again, and was so glad there was no end to her joy, and she wanted to tell her father at once that her deliverer was come. but the lad would not hear of it; he would earn her once more, he said. so in the morning when they heard the king rattling at the posts outside, the lad drew on the hide and lay down by the stove.