“How now, fair damsel! not broken in to harness yet?”
“God knows, soldier, who breaks in whom,” replies the girl. “I may do it to you, or you to me.”
So saying she laughed and went her way. Well, the Soldier arrived at home, greeted his family, and rejoiced greatly at finding they were all in good health.
Now he had an old grandfather, as white as a lun, who had lived a hundred years and a bit. The Soldier was gossiping with him, and said:
“As I was coming home, grandfather, I happened to meet an uncommonly fine girl, and, sinner that I am, I chaffed her, and she said to me:
“‘God knows, soldier, whether you’ll break me in to harness, or I’ll break you.’”
“Eh, sirs! whatever have you done? Why that’s the daughter of our merchant here, an awful witch! She’s sent more than one fine young fellow out of the white world.”
“Well, well! I’m not one of the timid ones, either! You won’t frighten me in a hurry. We’ll wait and see what God will send.”
“No, no, grandson!” says the grandfather. “If you don’t listen to me, you won’t be alive to-morrow!”
“Here’s a nice fix!” says the Soldier.