streets and carried her in my arms. Next my heart I carried her. So I would have borne her all through life—lest haply she should dash her foot against a stone. For her shoes were worn very thin when I found her
Maia.
And yet you took her up and carried her next your heart?
Ulfheim.
Took her up out of the gutter and carried her as high and as carefully as I could. [ Witha growling laugh.] And do you know what I got for my reward?
Maia.
No. What did you get?
Ulfheim.
[Looks at her, smiles and nods.] I got the horns! The horns that you can see so plainly. Is not that a comical story, madam bear-murderess?
Maia.
Oh yes, comical enough! But I know another story that is still more comical.
Ulfheim.
How does that story go?
Maia.
This is how it goes. There was once a stupid girl, who had both a father and a mother—but a rather poverty-stricken home. Then there
