MOTHER. Now take this loaf of bread to your sick aunt. Say to her 't is her
Christmas gift.

INGE. But, mother, I must cross the muddy road to go there.

MOTHER. Well, you are neither sugar nor salt.

INGE. I'll spoil my shoes!

MOTHER. You think of your shoes, and your aunt lies ill?

INGE. Wait till spring and the mud will be gone.

MOTHER. Wait till spring and your aunt will be gone! Here is the loaf--now
off with you!

[_Inge takes the loaf and goes, but not willingly._]

SCENE II

TIME: _a few minutes later_.
PLACE: _the muddy road_.

* * * * *

INGE.
THE WICKED ELF.

* * * * *

[INGE _is seen stopping at the muddy road._]

INGE. 'T is too wide to leap!

[_The_ WICKED ELF _suddenly appears on the opposite side of the road._]

WICKED ELF. Good day to you, pretty maid!

INGE. Good day to you, dear Elf!

WICKED ELF. Wilt cross this muddy road?

INGE. I must.

WICKED ELF. Then I'll tell you how to do it and not so much as wet your
shoe.

INGE. Oh, thank you, dear Elf!

WICKED ELF. Throw down your loaf and--

INGE. (_showing surprise; interrupting_). Throw down the loaf?

WICKED ELF. Why, yes,--to use it for a stepping-stone.

INGE. But 't will spoil the bread!

WICKED ELF. But 't will save your shoes!

INGE. Well, that's true--

WICKED ELF. A pretty maid ne'er wears a muddy shoe.

INGE. That's true, too--

WICKED ELF. Come, then, throw down the loaf!

INGE. Well, I'll do it!

(_She throws the loaf and steps upon it._)

'T is sinking! What shall I do?

WICKED ELF. Why, then, jump off!

INGE (_trying to jump_). I can't! Don't you see I can't?

WICKED ELF. Ha, ha! You're fastened to it!

INGE. 'T is drawing me down! Help me! Help me!

WICKED ELF. There's no help for you.

INGE. No help? What do you mean?

WICKED ELF. You must go down with the loaf.

INGE. I pray you help me! See how I'm sinking! The mud will soon be over my
shoes!

WICKED ELF. The mud will soon be over your head!

INGE (_weeping_). Save me! Save me!

WICKED ELF. Will you be saved by magic?

INGE. Yes, yes!

WICKED ELF. Listen, then--I'll change you into a bird. Are you willing?

INGE. Yes, yes! Quick now, before I sink deeper!

WICKED ELF (_nodding head three times_). A sparrow shall you be! Change,
now change!

[_Inge changes into a_ SPARROW, _with a tuft of white feathers, just the
shape of a loaf of bread, upon its head.