help in the housekeeping as she grew older, found that it was only by much care and anxiety she could be kept from ruining us altogether by her follies–that meseemeth, is quite another thing; nor could the patience of a saint fail to be worn out at last.”
“Ay, ay,” quoth the fisherman with a smile, “thou hast thy troubles with the girl, and I have mine with the lake. Often it breaketh through my dams and teareth my nets to pieces. Yet I love it; and so too dost thou love the pretty elf, for all the torment and vexation she bringeth. Is it not so?”
“Nay,” quoth the dame, “’tis impossible to be angry with her, and that is the truth.” And she smiled, well pleased.
Then of a sudden the door flew open and lo! a strangely fair and beautiful maiden glided into the room, with happy laughter on her lips. “Thou hast jested with me, father,” saith she, “for where is thy guest?”
And then she saw him. Full of wonder and amazement she stood watching the handsome knight; while Huldbrand, on his part, looked with all the more earnestness at her beautiful face, because he deemed that it was but her momentary surprise which lent her so strange a charm. Right soon, he thought, will she turn away her eyes and become all the more bashful and composed. But it was not so. When she had gazed her full, she drew near to him confidingly, and knelt at his feet; and while she played with a gold
