content: now that night everybody at the farm went to bed betimes , for next morning the whole family was to set out early , to go to the top of the hill near the sea , to see the princess eaten by the stoorworm . all except assipattle , who was to be left at home to herd the geese . the lad was so vexed at this -- for he had great schemes in his head -- that he could not sleep . and as he lay tossing and tumbling about in his corner among the ashes , he heard his father and mother talking in the great box - bed . and , as he listened , he found that they were having an argument .
answer: he listened to his parents ' argument .
question: how did assipattle know about his father's secret ?
target: how did assipattle know about his father's secret ?
references: how did assipattle know about his father's secret ?