d this gladly, for now he knew what he would do. He took the
cup from her hand, drank off the mead, and, before he returned it, he
contrived cleverly to pour in the water from his drinking-horn, on which
Frey's image was painted; then he put the cup into Gerda's hand, and
bade her look.

She smiled as she looked; and the longer she looked, the sweeter grew
her smile; for she looked for the first time on a face that loved her,
and many things became clear to her that she had never understood
before. Skirnir's words were no longer like fairy tales. She could now
believe in Aesirland, and in all beautiful things.

"Go back to your master," she said, at last, "and tell him that in nine
days I will meet him in the warm wood Barri."

After hearing these joyful words, Skirnir made haste to take leave, for
every moment that he lingered in the giant's house he was in danger. One
of Gerda's maidens conducted him to the door, and he mounted his horse
again, and rode from Joetunheim with a glad heart.

PART IV

THE WOOD BARRI

When Skirnir got back to Alfheim, and told Gerda's answer to Frey, he
was disappointed to find that his master did not immediately look as
bright and happy as he expected.

"Nine days!" he said; "but how can I wait nine days? One day is long,
and three days are very long, but 'nine days' might as well be a whole
year."

I have heard children say such things when one tells them to wait for a
new toy.

Skirnir and old Nioerd only laughed at it; but Freyja and all the ladies
of Asgard made a journey to Alfheim, when they heard the story, to
comfort Frey, and hear all the news about the wedding.

"Dear Frey," they said, "it will never do to lie still here, sighing
under a tree. You are quite mistaken about the time being long; it is
hardly long enough to prepare the marriage presents, and talk over the
wedding. You have no idea how busy we are going to be; everything in
Alfheim will have to be altered a little."

At these words Frey really did lift up his head, and wake up from his
musings. He looked, in truth, a little frightened at the thought; but,
when all the Asgard ladies were ready to work for his wedding, how could
he make any objection? He was not allowed to have much share in the
business himself; but he had little time, during the nine days, to
indulge in private thought, for never before was there such a commotion
in Alfheim. The ladies found so many things that wanted overlooking, and