dsome blue dress. There was something proud, but at the same time
strange and surprising in her appearance.

"Do not be afraid," said she, "at my unexpected appearance. I am the
owner of this house, and I thank you for the clean and neat state in
which you have kept it, and for the good order in which I find
everything with you. I would willingly have come sooner, but I had no
power to do so, till this little heathen (pointing to the new-born babe)
was come to the light. Now I have free access. Only, fetch no priest
from the mainland to christen it, or I must depart again. If you will in
this matter comply with my wishes, you may not only continue to live
here, but all the good that ever you can wish for I will cause you.
Whatever you take in hand shall prosper. Good luck shall follow you
wherever you go; but break this condition, and depend upon it that
misfortune after misfortune will come on you, and even on this child
will I avenge myself. If you want anything, or are in danger, you have
only to pronounce my name three times, and I will appear and lend you
assistance. I am of the race of the old giants, and my name is Guru. But
beware of uttering in my presence the name of him whom no giant may hear
of, and never venture to make the sign of the cross, or to cut it on
beam or on board of the house. You may dwell in this house the whole
year long, only be so good as to give it up to me on Yule evening, when
the sun is at the lowest, as then we celebrate our great festival, and
then only are we permitted to be merry. At least, if you should not be
willing to go out of the house, keep yourselves up in the loft as quiet
as possible the whole day long, and, as you value your lives, do not
look down into the room until midnight is past. After that you may take
possession of everything again."

When the old woman had thus spoken she vanished, and Aslog and Orm, now
at ease respecting their situation, lived, without any disturbance,
content and happy. Orm never made a cast of his net without getting a
plentiful draught. He never shot an arrow from his bow that missed its
aim. In short, whatever they took in hand, were it ever so trifling,
evidently prospered.

When Christmas came, they cleaned up the house in the best manner, set
everything in order, kindled a fire on the hearth, and, as the twilight
approached, they went up to the loft, where they remained quiet and
still. At length it grew dark. They thought they heard a