The giant laughed. “A remarkable workman. Pray, do you ask the wages of nine men as well?”
“I ask no wages,” answered Odin. “I only ask that, as my pay when the work is done, you shall give me a draught of wine from the cask hidden in your brother’s cellar.”
Bauge stared. “How did you know there is a cask in my brother’s cellar?” he gasped.
“It is enough that I know it,” answered Odin coldly.
Bauge looked at Odin. “He is better than no man,” he thought to himself. “I may as well get what work from him I can, before he finds that no being on earth can enter that cellar or force my brother to give away one drop of that wine.”
“Very well, you may go to work,” he said aloud. “I cannot promise you that we can make our way into my brother’s cellar; but I will do what I can to help you.”
“That is all I ask,” answered Odin. “Now let me sleep, for I am tired; and if I am to do nine men’s work, I must have nine men’s sleep.”
“And must you have nine men’s food?” cried Bauge.
“I think it very likely,” answered Odin with a queer smile. “Now let me sleep.”
