"You may, but make haste, for my uncle's face is getting dark and cloudy."
"You gave me my choice of a slayer, O king?"
"I did, but of one as cruel as yourself."
"You placed me in their mercy, O king?"
"I did, and I am very sorry for you, but the law must take its course."
"Then, O king Muffler, I choose my wife."
On hearing this the king's eyes opened wide, while Thunderpeal broke into a roar of anger, but a flash of Muffler's eyes sent him howling away. Then the king turned toward his counsellor and said—
"Well, well, isn't Crafticus clever? He catches at words as a lawyer handles them among mankind. Who would have thought that he would turn my words in his own favor?" Then Muffler laughed, and said—"he deserves to escape. After all, it was only a goose, and the goose was my own, and I can well afford the loss." And he laughed till his mane shook. "Go, Crafticus," he added, "and be slain by the mercy of your wife—by one indeed as cruel as yourself when it is a case of geese and ganders."
Crafticus bowed low and answered—
"I am deeply thankful, O king Muffler, for your justice and sympathy."