“Even in the old days,” Black Eric went on, “before people were civilized, they destroyed the witches that brought them harm. They drove them out! They burned them at the stake!”
“No, no!” Olga found her voice with a choking effort. “You will not be so cruel—you will not burn her!”
Black Eric’s eyes gleamed savagely. He towered above them, triumphantly.
“I shouldn’t advise that,” he agreed, “but—to drive her out——”
“Who is to do this?” quavered a voice.
“Look, Mamma,” cried the little girl. “She is running back to the woods!”
“Running back to the hut,” shrilled Kaisa, peering out, “with her plaid shawl hanging over her bones!”
“Now is the time!” cried Black Eric. “Now, when you can catch her in the hut! Go quickly, you men!”
“And what about you?” Silent Sven addressed Black Eric for the first time.
“Me?” cringed Black Eric. “It—would not—do for me——”