They had not gone far, before Jack shrieked with laughter, saying, "I've
found an egg." "Put it in your pocket," said the brothers. A little
while afterwards, he burst out into another fit of laughter on finding a
crooked hazel stick, which he also put in his pocket; and a third time
he again laughed extravagantly because he found a nut. That also was put
with his other treasures.
When they arrived at the palace, they were immediately admitted on
mentioning the nature of their business, and were ushered into a room
where the princess and her suite were sitting. Jack, who never stood on
ceremony, bawled out, "What a troop of fair ladies we've got here!"
"Yes," said the princess, "we are fair ladies, for we carry fire in our
bosoms."
"Do you?" said Jack, "then roast me an egg," pulling out the egg from
his pocket.
"How will you get it out again?" said the princess.
"With a crooked stick," replied Jack, producing the hazel.
"Where did that come from?" said the princess.
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