All the way he never saw a soul. There was a big fire in the hall, and
when he had warmed himself, he set out to look for the master of the
house. But he did not look far, for behind the first door he opened
was a cosy little room with supper set for one, a supper the mere look
of which made you hungry.
So the merchant sat down as bold as you please, and made a very hearty
supper, after which he again thought he would look for the master of
the house.
He started off and opened another door, but there he saw a bed, merely
to look at which made you sleepy, so he said to himself:
"This is some fairies' work. I had better not look any farther for the
master of the house."
And with that he tumbled into bed, and, being very tired, he went to
sleep at once, and slept like a top till it was time to get up in the
morning.
When he awoke he was quite surprised to find himself in such a soft
and comfortable bed, but presently he remembered all that had happened
to him.
"I must be going," he said to himself, "but I wish I could thank my
host for my good rest and my good supper."
When he got out of bed he found he had something else to be grateful
for, for on the chair by the bedside lay a fine suit of new clothes,
marked with his name, and with ten gold pieces in every pocket.
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