200 GLOOSCAP AND OTHER STORIES they tried to stop, but no one could, and no one could even push the plate away. So they cried to Jack to take the food away. "I will upon one condition," said Jack. "The princess must laugh." The princess did not know what to do. She had expected to laugh from pleasure, not from pain. "I will not do it," she said. "Very well, then," said Jack, "you may all go on eating." So they were obliged to eat and eat all the faster, until they were ready to die with pain. Finally, when the princess could en¬ dure it no longer, she began to laugh as heartily as she could, thinking: "He will not make me laugh a second time." As soon as Jack had taken away the magical food, all the suitors flew at him to drive him out of the palace. Quick as a flash he untied his magical belt, and threw it upon the floor. Instantly the princess and all the suitors were bound together in a bundle, and lying in a help¬ less heap upon the floor. 1' Untie us!" cried the princess. "Laugh then," said Jack. "I will not laugh," said the princess. '' Very well then,'' said Jack,'' stay where you are." The belt began to squeeze harder than ever, until the suitors and the princess could bear the pain no longer. Then the princess be-