Stranica 30 [30]
LABOULAYE’S FAIRY BOOK
had seen it done at his father’s castle. He soon had
enough of it. In less than a second there was so much dung
in the stable that the poor boy knew not which way to turn.
He did as Finette had bid him; he turned the fork and
swept with the handle, when, behold! in the twinkling of
an eye the stable was as clean as if no cattle had ever
entered it.
The task finished, Yvon seated himself on a bench before
the door of the house. As soon as he saw the giant coming
he lolled back im his seat, crossed his legs, and began to sing
one of his native airs.
‘Have you cleaned the stable?” asked the giant, with
a frown.
" Everything is ready, master," answered Yvon, without
troubling himself to move.
"I am going to see for myself,” howled the giant. He
entered the stable grumbling, found everything in order,
and came out furious.
" You have seen my Finette,” cried he; "this trick did
not come from your own head."
‘What is myfinette?” asked Yvon, opening his mouth
and shutting his eyes. “‘Is it one of the animals that you
have in this country? Show it to me, master."
" Hold your tongue, fool," replied the giant; "you will
see her sooner than you will want to.”
The next morning the giant gathered his sheep together
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