"What is it?"
"The Demon!" exclaimed the little one, his eyes staring with affright, clutching at the clothes of his companion—
"You won't desert me, old fellow?"
"It's an owl!... Well, he can plume himself on having scared us!"
The enormous night-bird, startled from his nest, flew away with a sobbing cry.
"Let's give it up," said the tall man. "That will never kindle."
"Why not? The wood's rotten, dry as tinder in the sun, and all worm-eaten.... A single spark will do. Come, work along!"
And the little man shoved the taller.
"Now, push the straw into the hole!... more, more, for the glory of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost!"
"Why are you fidgeting about like an eel?" said the tall man, in annoyance. "And what is there to laugh at?"