Thor strode back and looked again into the horn. It was still half filled. He turned round to see that all the Giants were laughing at him.
"Asa Thor, Asa Thor," said the Giant King, "we know not how you are going to deal with us in the next feat, but you certainly are not able to drink against the Giants."
Said Thor: "I can lift up and set down any being in your hall."
As he said this a great iron-colored cat bounded into the hall and stood before Thor, her back arched and her fur bristling.
"Then lift the cat off the ground," said the Giant King.
Thor strode to the cat, determined to lift her up and fling her amongst the mocking Giants. He put his hands to the cat, but he could not raise her. Up, up went Thor's arms, up, up, as high as they could go. The cat's arched back went up to the roof, but her feet were never taken off the ground. And as he heaved and heaved with all his might he heard the laughter of the Giants all round him.
He turned away, his eyes flaming with anger. "I am not wont to try to lift cats," he said. "Bring me one to wrestle with, and I swear you shall see me overthrow him."
"Here is one for you to wrestle with, Asa Thor," said the King. Thor looked round and saw an old woman hobbling toward him. She was blear-eyed and toothless. "This is Ellie, my ancient nurse," said the Giant King. "She is the one we would have you wrestle with."
"Thor does not wrestle with old women. I will lay my hands on your tallest Giants instead."
"Ellie has come where you are," said the Giant King. "Now it is she who will lay hands upon you."