“I will give you,” said he, “whatever you would like best in the world.”
“Then give me back the chain.”
“Think!” said he. “What would you like best in all the world, for your very self?”
“Nothing,” I said, ready to cry. “I want the chain back. If you don’t give it to me,” I said, angrily, “I will call my mother.”
“With all the pleasure in the world,” said the impudent old rascal.
I was now ready to cry in good earnest.
The Old Man Proposes a Strange Bargain
“But I advise you to listen to me, my young friend,” went on the dreadful creature. “You may make a wish, if you will; and if you don’t, I will. If I keep the chain, you shall make the wish; if you keep the chain, I will make it; but I warn you, if I make the wish, I shall wish you harm! Such harm that you would rather be dead than alive! Come now, will you sell me the chain for a wish?”
“I can’t,” I said, “I can’t.” And I began to cry.
“Then you would like to be crippled all your life? To find vipers in your bed every night? To see the Princess run away from the sight of you? To suffer a sharp pain in your ears, to have all your drink turn to—”