again, like setting a lid on a box, and went in and told the
squire that the job was done.

The squire opened his eyes at this announcement; and came out to
see if it was really true. It was true, sure enough, but he was
scarcely delighted with the mixed grain that he got from all his
crops. However, when he saw the flail that Hans had used, and
learned how he had made room for himself to swing it, he was so
afraid of the strong fellow, that he dared not say anything,
except that it was a good thing he had got it threshed; but it
had still to be cleaned.

'What does that mean?' asked Hans.

It was explained to him that the corn and the chaff had to be
separated; as yet both were lying in one heap, right up to the
roof. Hans began to take up a little and sift it in his hands,
but he soon saw that this would never do. He soon thought of a
plan, however; he opened both barn-doors, and then lay down at
one end and blew, so that all the chaff flew out and lay like a
sand-bank at the other end of the barn, and the grain was as
clean as it could be. Then he reported to the squire that that
job also was done. The squire said that that was well; there was
nothing more for him to do that day. Off went Hans to the
kitchen, and got as much as he could eat; then he went and took a
midday nap which lasted till supper-time.

Meanwhile the squire was quite miserable, and made his moan to
his wife, saying that she must help him to find some means to
getting rid of this strong fellow, for he durst not give him his