"A worn-out shoe sole," said he.

"Pshaw! Well, that was something to pick up! Throw it away! What do you
want with that?" said the brothers.

"Oh, I haven't much to carry, I might as well carry that, if I am to win
the princess and half the kingdom," said Boots.

"Yes, you are likely to do that--you," said they.

And now they came to the King's palace. The eldest one went in first.

"Good-day," said he.

"Good-day to you," said the princess, and she twisted and turned.

"It's awfully hot here," said he.

"It is hotter over there in the hearth," said the princess. There lay
the red-hot iron ready awaiting. When he saw that he forgot every word
he was going to say, and so it was all over with him.

And now came the next oldest one.

"Good-day," said he.

"Good-day to you," said she, and she turned and twisted herself.

"It's awfully hot here," said he.