On the following day the King had everything put into the castle; and when night drew on the youth took up his position there, lit a bright fire in one of the rooms, placed the carving bench with the knife close to it, and sat himself down on the turning lathe. ‘Oh! if I could only shudder!’ he said; ‘but I shan’t learn it here either.’ Towards midnight he wanted to make up the fire, and as he was blowing up a blaze he heard a shriek from a corner. ‘Ou, miou! how cold we are!’ ‘You fools!’ he cried; ‘why do you scream? If you are cold, come and sit at the fire and warm yourselves.’ And as he spoke two huge black cats sprang fiercely forwards and sat down, one on each side of him, and gazed wildly at him with their fiery eyes. After a time, when they had warmed themselves, they said: ‘Friend, shall we play a little game of cards?’ ‘Why not?’ he replied; ‘but first let me see your paws.’ Then they stretched out their claws. ‘Ha!’ said he; ‘what long nails you’ve got! Wait a minute: I must first cut them off.’ Thereupon he seized them by the scruff of their necks, lifted them on to the carving bench, and screwed down their paws firmly…