Page:Popular Tales and Romances of the Northern Nations (Volume 3).djvu/36

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24
The Field

how or other the old mad fit came upon me and I forgot myself.”

“For that very reason, because you can forget yourself,” rejoined Constantine, “we part. You might terrify my children into a paroxysm of phrenzy, and, as I have said, our contract here terminates.”

“My time is not up;” said Forester, in a dogged tone, “I will go into the house.”

“Not a step further—at your peril!” cried Constantine. “You have broken the agreement by your cursed goblin tricks, and all that I can do is to pay you your full wages. Here, take it and pack yourself off.”

“My full wages?” said the mountain-spirit, with a sneer of bitter contempt. Have you never seen my stores of gold in the caverns of yonder hills?”

“I do this more on my own account than yours,” said Constantine, “no man shall call me his debtor.” And so saying, he forced the money into his servant’s pocket.

“And what is to be done with the Field of