So Death went up the tree and picked and ate to his heart’s content.
“Now we must go,” said he. “Hullo! I can’t get down. Oh, Padre Ulivo, you’ve bewitched me again!” And he stretched out now an arm, now a leg, and twisted and turned; but it was all of no good, and the others stood below laughing at him.
“Oh, Padre Ulivo! I’ll leave you another hundred years, if you’ll only let me get down.”
“Very well; then you may come.”
So Death climbed down and went away.
✴✴✴✴✴
When the hundred years were passed, he came and stood outside the cottage.
“Padre Ulivo, Padre Ulivo, come out! I shan’t come near your house this time. I don’t want to be tricked again.”
“Oh, no, I’m coming. Wait till I get my jacket.”
So he put on his coat and went with Death.