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But the youngest said, 'I don't know how it is, while you are so

happy I feel very uneasy; I am sure some mischance will befall

us.' 'You simpleton,' said the eldest, 'you are always afraid;

have you forgotten how many kings' sons have already watched in

vain? And as for this soldier, even if I had not given him his

sleeping draught, he would have slept soundly enough.'

When they were all ready, they went and looked at the soldier;

but he snored on, and did not stir hand or foot: so they thought

they were quite safe; and the eldest went up to her own bed and

clapped her hands, and the bed sank into the floor and a

trap-door flew open. The soldier saw them going down through the

trap-door one after another, the eldest leading the way; and

thinking he had no time to lose, he jumped up, put on the cloak

which the old woman had given him, and followed them; but in the

middle of the stairs he trod on the gown of the youngest

princess, and she cried out to her sisters, 'All is not right;

someone took hold of my gown.' 'You silly creature!' said the

eldest, 'it is nothing but a nail in the wall.' Then down they

all went, and at the bottom they found themselves in a most

delightful grove of trees; and the leaves were all of silver, and

glittered and sparkled beautifully.