and then he cried for the third time : " old hopgiant ! " and there appeared a fellow of truly horrible size , with a scythe as large as a ship 's mast . and now the merriment of the rich peasant 's mowers came to an end . for when the giant began to mow and fling about his scythe , they were frightened at the strength he put into his work . and before they knew it he had mown half the meadow . 
why did the merriment of the rich peasant's mowers come to an end ?
they were frightened at the strength he put into his work .
they were frightened at the strength the giant put into his work .