they asked . ` You have not been anxious ? ' ` No , why should I be anxious ? The gates were fast locked , and in the castle are seven doors , and the seventh is of iron . What is there to frighten me ? ' ` No one will try to hurt us , ' said the brothers , ` for they fear us greatly . But for yourself , we implore you to do nothing without consulting the cat , who has grown up in the house , and take care never to neglect her advice . ' ` All right , ' replied Udea , ` and whatever I eat she shall have half . ' ` Capital ! and if ever you are in danger the cat will come and tell us -- only elves and pigeons , which fly round your window , know where to find us . ' ` This is the first I have heard of the pigeons , ' said Udea . ` Why did you not speak of them before ? ' ` We always leave them food and water for seven days , ' replied the brothers . ` Ah , ' sighed the girl , ` if I had only known , I would have given them fresh food and fresh water ; for after seven days anything becomes bad . Would it not be better if I fed them every day ? ' ` Much better , ' said they , ` and we shall feel any kindnesses you do towards the cat or the pigeons exactly as if they were shown to ourselves . ' ` Set your minds at ease , ' answered the girl , ' I will treat them as if they were my brothers . ' That night the brothers slept in the castle , but after breakfast next morning they buckled on their weapons and mounted their horses , and rode off to their hunting grounds , calling out to their sister , ` Mind you let nobody in till we come back . ' ` Very well , ' cried she , and kept the doors carefully locked for seven days and on the eighth the brothers returned as before . Then , after spending one evening with her , they departed as soon as they had done breakfast .
Directly they were out of sight XXXXX began to clean the house , and among the dust she found a bean which she ate .
Udea day days eighth elves evening first night right seventh