. The violet fairy book . d you shall have one ofthem. He could see that she didnt quite care for this, butshe consented to the bargain, and gave him the kiss, andwent away with a hare in her apron. Scarcely had shegot outside the field, however, when Jesper blew hiswhistle, and immediately the hare wriggled out of itsprison like an eel, and went back to its master at the topof its speed. Not long after this the hare-herd had another time it was a stout old woman in the dress of apeasant, who also was after a hare to provide a dinnerfor unexpected visitors. Jesper again refused, but
. The violet fairy book . d you shall have one ofthem. He could see that she didnt quite care for this, butshe consented to the bargain, and gave him the kiss, andwent away with a hare in her apron. Scarcely had shegot outside the field, however, when Jesper blew hiswhistle, and immediately the hare wriggled out of itsprison like an eel, and went back to its master at the topof its speed. Not long after this the hare-herd had another time it was a stout old woman in the dress of apeasant, who also was after a hare to provide a dinnerfor unexpected visitors. Jesper again refused, but theold lady was so pressing, and would take no refusal, thatat last he said : Very well, you shall have a hare, and pay nothing forit either, if you will only walk round me on tiptoe, lookup to the sky, and cackle like a hen. Fie, said she ; what a ridiculous thing to ask anyone JESPER WHO HERDED THE HARES 213 to do ; just think what the neighbours would say if theysaw me. They would think I had taken leave of my 4 Just as you like, said Jesper; you know bestwhether you want the hare or not. 214 JESPER WHO HERDED THE HARES There was no help for it, and a pretty figure the old^ady made in carrying out her task ; the cackling wasntvery well done, but Jesper said it would do, and gave herthe hare. As soon as she had left the field, the whistlewas sounded again, and back came loug-legs-and-ears at amarvellous speed. The next to appear on the same errand was a fat oldfellow in the dress of a groom : it was the royal livery hewore, and he plainly thought a good deal of himself. Young man, said he, I want one of those hares;name your price, but I must have one of them. All right, said Jesper ; you can have one at an easyrate. Just stand on your head, whack your heelstogether, and cry Hurrah, and the hare is yours. Eh, what!> said the old fellow ; me stand on myhead ; what an idea ! Oh, very well, said Jesper, you neednt unless youlike, you know ; but then you wont get the
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublisherlondon, bookyear190
