’And after a little time they came to a stone wall that was very high; and he put the white horse he was riding at it, and the horse refused it, and he shot it dead.  “I did that because he would not take the wall when I bade him,” he said.

’They came home then; and there was a good deal of feasting made, and of good treatment for all the servants in the house; but as to the wife she got hardly enough given her, and that of the worst.  She was angry then; and she said to the husband:  “Why am I badly treated this way, and your servants are well treated?” “I have a good reason for that,” says he; “for my servants are working hard for me, and doing all they can for me, and you are doing nothing at all.”

’Well, whatever happened after that, all the daughters and the sons-in-law came back one time to the father’s house to see him.  And after the dinner, the daughters were playing cards together, and the sons-in-law were in another room with the father.  And he asked the first of them how did he like his wife.  “Very well,” says he, “I have no fault to find with her, a very civil, obedient girl.”  The second son-in-law said the same; and then the father said to the man that married the hot-tempered one:  “And what sort of an account have you to give of your missus?” “Very good,” he said.  “If her sisters are civil and obedient, she is three times more civil and obedient.”

’They were surprised to hear him say that; and they said they would put it to the proof.  And the first husband went to the door and called to his wife, “Come here a minute.”  “I can’t come,” says she; “I’m dealing the cards.”  Then the second husband went and called to his wife that he wanted her.  “I can’t come,” says she; “I’m playing the game.”  Then the third went and called to his wife; and she rose up and put down the cards, and came out to him on the moment.  “What were you doing when I called you?” says he.  “I was playing the game,” says she.

’They all wondered when they heard that, and they asked what made her, that was so hard to manage before, so quiet now.

’"I will tell you that,” she said.  And she told them the whole story of the horse and the hound being shot, and the servants being treated better than herself.

‘And that’s the end of my story.’

* * * * *

Then a young red-faced, one-eyed man was dragged forward, and he said: 

’There was a farmer one time had met with great misfortunes; and at last of all his stock he had nothing left but one cow.  And when he saw his children starving with the hunger, he made up his mind to sell the cow, and he set out with her to the fair.

’And on the road he met a man that asked would he sell the cow.  “I will indeed; it’s for that I’m going to the fair,” says he.  “Will you give her to me for this bottle?” says the man, holding out a bottle to him.  “Do you know what my wife would do if I brought her home that bottle in place of the cow?” said the farmer.  “I do not,” said the man.  “She’d break it on my head,” said the farmer.