was about to drink, the Mastermaid told the Prince to throw overboard
a drop or two out of the flask, and then the sea was just as full as
ever, and before the stream-sucker could take another gulp, they
reached the land and were saved from the Giant.

So they made up their minds to go home to the Prince's father, but
the Prince would not hear of the Mastermaid's walking, for he thought
it seemly neither for her nor for him.

'Just wait here ten minutes', he said, 'while I go home after the
seven horses which stand in my father's stall. It's no great way off,
and I shan't be long about it; but I will not hear of my sweetheart
walking to my father's palace.'

'Ah!' said the Mastermaid, 'pray don't leave me, for if you once get
home to the palace, you'll forget me outright; I know you will.'

'Oh!' said he, 'how can I forget you; you with whom I have gone
through so much, and whom I love so dearly?'

There was no help for it, he must and would go home to fetch the
coach and seven horses, and she was to wait for him by the seaside.
So at last the Mastermaid was forced to let him have his way; she
only said:

'Now, when you get home, don't stop so much as to say good day to any
one, but go straight to the stable and put to the horses, and drive
back as quick as you can; for they will all come about you; but do as
though you did not see them; and above all things, mind you do not
taste a morsel of food, for if you do, we shall both come to grief.'