He took his father and Margery by the
hand, and they were all three quite happy, and went into the house to
dinner.
CLEVER ALICE.
Once upon a time there was a man who had a daughter, who was called
"Clever Alice;" and when she was grown up, her father said, "We must
see about her marrying."
"Yes," replied her mother, "whenever a young man shall appear who is
worthy of her."
At last a certain youth, by name Hans, came from a distance to make a
proposal of marriage but he required one condition, that the Clever
Alice should be very prudent.
"Oh," said her father, "no fear of that! she has got a head full of
brains;" and the mother added, "Ah, she can see the wind blow up the
street, and hear the flies cough!"
"Very well," replied Hans; "but remember, if she is not very prudent,
I will not take her." Soon afterwards they sat down to dinner, and her
mother said, "Alice, go down into the cellar and draw some beer."
So Clever Alice took the jug down from the wall, and went into the
cellar, jerking the lid up and down on her way, to pass away the time.
As soon as she got downstairs, she drew a stool and placed it before
the cask, in order that she might not have to stoop, for she thought
stooping might in some way injure her back, and give it an
undesirable bend. Then she placed the can before her and turned the
tap, and while the beer was running, as she did not wish her eyes to
be idle, she looked about upon the wall above and below.
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