Catherine and Frederick · page 21 2101I am not myself."102By and by night came on, and Catherine ran into the village, and, knocking at her husband's window, called, "Fred!"103"What is the matter?" cried he.104"I want to know if Catherine is indoors!" said she.105"Yes, yes!" answered Fred, "she is certainly within, fast asleep."106"Then I am at home," said she, and ran away.107Standing outside Catherine found some thieves, wanting to steal, and going up to them she said, "I will help you."108At this the thieves were very glad, not doubting but that she knew where to light on what they sought.109But Catherine, stepping in front of the houses, called out, "Good people, what have you that we can steal?"110At this the thieves said, "You will do for us with a vengeance!" and they wished they had never come near her; but in order to rid themselves of her they said, "Just before the village the parson has some roots lying in his field; go and fetch some."111Catherine went as she was bid, and began to grub for them, and soon made herself very dirty with the earth.112Presently a man came by and saw her, and stood still, for he thought it was the Evil One who was grovelling so among the roots.113Away he ran into the village to the parson, and told him the Evil One was in his field, rooting up the turnips. "114Ah! heavens!" said the parson, "I have a lame foot, and I cannot go out to exorcize him."115"Then I will carry you a-pickaback," said the man, and took him up.116Just as they arrived in the field, Catherine got up and drew herself up to her full height.117"Oh! it is the Evil One!" cried the parson, and both he and the man hurried away; and, behold! the parson ran faster with his lame legs, through fear and terror, than the countryman could with his sound legs!1 2← previousLittle Snow Whitenext →The Valiant Little Tailor↑ back to Grimm's Fairy StoriesThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg11027/12/page/2/