THE DEVIL'S POOL
adversary had forgotten it, or perhaps had never even heard it; but instantly the good gossips chanted the victorious refrain through their noses with voices shrill as a sea-mew's, and the grave-digger, forced to surrender, went on to fresh attempts.
It would have taken too long to wait for a decision of the victory. The bride's party declared itself disposed to be merciful, provided that the bride were given a present worthy of her.
Then began the song of the favors to a tune solemn as a church chant.
The men without sang together in bass voices:
"'Open the door, true love,
Open the door;
I have presents for you, love,
Oh, say not adieu, love.'"
To this the women answered from within in falsetto, with mournful voices:
"'My father is sorry, my mother is sad.
And I am a maiden too kind by far
At such an hour my gate to unbar.'"
The men took up the first verse as far as the fourth line and modified it thus:
"'And a handkerchief new, love.'"
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