, lo! and behold you, there was a wood, and green fields,
and a castle in a lawn, and a bright sky over all. 'It's in Tir-na-n-Oge
I am,' says he. 'Let's see what sort of people are in the castle.' On
he walked, across fields and lawn, and no one was there to keep him out
or let him into the castle; but the big hall-door was wide open. He went
from one fine room to another that was finer, and at last he reached the
handsomest of all, with a table in the middle. And such a dinner as was
laid upon it! The prince was hungry enough, but he was too mannerly to
eat without being invited. So he sat by the fire, and he did not wait
long till he heard steps, and in came _Seven Inches_ with the youngest
sister by the hand. Well, prince and princess flew into one another's
arms, and says the little man, says he, 'Why aren't you eating?' 'I
think, sir,' says the prince, 'it was only good manners to wait to be
asked.' 'The other princes didn't think so,' says he. 'Each o' them fell
to without leave, and only gave me the rough words when I told them they
were making more free than welcome. Well, I don't think they feel much
hunger now. There they are, good _marble_ instead of flesh and blood,'
says he, pointing to two statues, one in one corner, and the other in
the other corner of the room. The prince was frightened, but he was
afraid to say anything, and _Seven Inches_ made him sit down to dinner
between himself and his bride; and he'd be as happy as the day is long,
only for the sight of the stone men in the corner. Well, that day went
by, and when the next came, says _Seven Inches_ to him, 'Now, you'll
have to set out that way,' pointing to the sun, 'and you'll find the
second princess in a giant's castle this evening, when you'll be tired
and hungry, and the eldest princess to-morrow evening; and you may as
well bring them here with you. You need not ask leave of their masters;
and perhaps if they ever get home, they'll look on poor people as if
they were flesh and blood like themselves.'

Away went the prince, and bedad! it's tired and hungry he was when he
reached the first castle, at sunset. Oh, wasn't the second princess glad
to see him! and what a good supper she gave him. But she heard the giant
at the gate, and she hid the prince in a closet. Well, when he came in,
he snuffed, an' he snuffed, and says he, '_By_ the life, I smell fresh
meat.' 'Oh,' says the princess, 'it's only the calf I got killed
to-day.' 'Ay, ay,' says