the tower to be built and his sons placed in it, under proper
guardians, according to his promise.

In process of time the lords and knights of the kingdom counselled
the King (as he was young) to live no longer as he had done,
but to take a wife; which counsel prevailing, they chose him a rich
and beautiful princess to be his consort--a neighbouring King's
daughter, of whom he was very fond. Not long after, the Queen
had a fine son, which caused great feasting and rejoicing at the
Court, insomuch that the late Queen, in a manner, was entirely
forgotten. That fared well, and King and Queen lived happy
together for several years.

At length the Queen, having some business with the hen-wife,
went herself to her, and, after a long conference passed, was taking
leave of her, when the hen-wife prayed that if ever she should come
back to her again she might break her neck. The Queen, greatly
incensed at such a daring insult from one of her meanest subjects,
demanded immediately the reason, or she would have her put to death.

`It was worth your while, madam,' says the hen-wife, `to pay me
well for it, for the reason I prayed so on you concerns you much.'

`What must I pay you?' asked the Queen.

`You must give me,' says she, `the full of a pack of wool, and I
have an ancient crock which you must fill with butter, likewise a
barrel which you must fill for me full of wheat.'

`How much wool will it take to the pack?' says the Queen.