Chapter Chapter 121 · Fair Katrinelje and Pif-Paf-Poltrie

. Fair Katrinelje and Pif-Paf-Poltrie

“Good-day, Father Hollenthe.” “Many thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie.” “May I be

allowed to have your daughter?” “Oh, yes, if Mother Malcho (Milch-cow),

Brother High-and-Mighty, Sister Käsetraut, and fair Katrinelje are

willing, you can have her.”

“Where is Mother Malcho, then?” “She is in the cow-house, milking the

cow.”

“Good-day, Mother Malcho.” “Many thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie.” “May I be

allowed to have your daughter?” “Oh, yes, if Father Hollenthe, Brother

High-and-Mighty, Sister Käsetraut, and fair Katrinelje are willing, you

can have her.” “Where is Brother High-and-Mighty, then?” “He is in the

room chopping some wood.” “Good-day, Brother High-and-Mighty.” “Many

thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie.” “May I be allowed to have your sister?” “Oh,

yes, if Father Hollenthe, Mother Malcho, Sister Käsetraut, and fair

Katrinelje are willing, you can have her.” “Where is Sister Käsetraut,

then?” “She is in the garden cutting cabbages.” “Good-day, sister

Käsetraut.” “Many thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie.” “May I be allowed to have

your sister?” “Oh, yes, if Father Hollenthe, Mother Malcho, Brother

High-and-Mighty, and fair Katrinelje are willing, you may have her.”

“Where is fair Katrinelje, then?” “She is in the room counting out her

farthings.” “Good day, fair Katrinelje.” “Many thanks,

Pif-paf-poltrie.” “Wilt thou be my bride?” “Oh, yes, if Father

Hollenthe, Mother Malcho, Brother High-and-Mighty, and Sister Käsetraut

are willing, I am ready.”

“Fair Katrinelje, how much dowry do hast thou?” “Fourteen farthings in

ready money, three and a half groschen owing to me, half a pound of

dried apples, a handful of fried bread, and a handful of spices.

And many other things are mine,

Have I not a dowry fine?

“Pif-paf-poltrie, what is thy trade? Art thou a tailor?” “Something

better.” “A shoemaker?” “Something better.” “A husbandman?” “Something

better.” “A joiner?” “Something better.” “A smith?” “Something better.”

“A miller?” “Something better.” “Perhaps a broom-maker?” “Yes, that’s

what I am, is it not a fine trade?”