FIRESIDE STORIES. 473 ae alters Se arc ay rs Se eee oe DCCLXXXVIII. THE THREE QUESTIONS, THERE lived formerly in the county of Cumberland a noble- man who had three sons, two of whom were comely and clever youths, but the other was a natural fool, named Jack, who was generally dressed in a parti-coloured coat and a steeple-crowned hat with a tassel, as became his condition. Now, the King of the East Angles had a beautiful daughter, who was distinguished by her great ingenuity and wit, and he issued a decree that whoever should answer three questions put to him by the Princess should have her in marriage, and be heir to the crown at his decease. Shortly after this decree was published, news of it reached the ears of the nobleman’s sons, and the two clever ones determined to have a trial, but they were sadly at a loss to prevent their idiot brother from going with them. They could not by any means get rid of him, and were compelled at length to let Jack accompany them. They had not gone far before Jack shrieked with laughter, saying, “I have 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,