“Never! while I live.”
“Poh!” was the contemptuous reply. “What is your strength against mine? Don’t you know that I can kill you?”
“That may be,” said Wide-awake, firmly,—though the thoughts of his mother came over his mind; and he could not help sighing for her, if he should die,—“but I will not yield.”
“Are you quite determined you will not let me in?” said the stranger.
The voice seemed altered; and, looking up, Wide-awake beheld, to his great surprise, that it was the old woman who addressed him.
“Where is the man who was here a minute since?” asked he in surprise.
The old woman smiled, and explained to him that she was a fairy, and had taken a man’s figure to test his sincerity. She said she was quite satisfied with the result, and, as she had no further need of his services, would let him return home.
“But I owe you something for your past fidelity. What shall it be? I leave it to your choice. Wealth, happiness, and long life: I will confer either of these upon you. Choose.”
“And may I choose any thing I like?” said Wide-awake, with eyes sparkling.
“Yes,” said the fairy (for so we must now call her).