_padre_ went on with his mass and said:

"I am a hermit _padre_
Devoted to the Immaculate;
I do not hear what you say.
_Dominus vobiscum_."

The giant could get no other response from him. At last he gave up in
despair and went home to talk things over with his wife.

"Of all stupid fools you are the most stupid of all," said his wife
when she had heard the tale. "Don't you see that Guimara has changed
herself into a church, D. Joao into a priest, the horse into a bell,
the saddle into the altar, and the musket into the mass-book? Hurry
after them again as fast as you can. I am going with you, myself, this
time, to see that Guimara does not play any more tricks on you."

This time the fugitives had travelled far when Guimara's parents
overtook them. They had almost reached D. Joao's own kingdom. Guimara
threw a handful of dust into her parents' eyes, and it became so dark
that they could not see. Guimara and D. Joao escaped safely into his
own kingdom.

When they had started out on the journey, Guimara had said, "O, D.
Joao, whatever happens, don't forget me for one single minute. Think
of me all the time." He had promised and he had remembered her every
instant on the journey. However, when they reached his own kingdom, he
was so happy to see home once more after all his adventures that he
thought he had never before been so happy in all his life. After one
has been living in Giantland it is very pleasant to get home where
things are a few sizes smaller and a bit more convenient. Then, too,
it was very pleasant for him to see all his friends again. He was so
happy at being home that, just for one little minute, he forgot all
about Guimara.

When D. Joao remembered Guimara he turned around to look at her. When
he saw her he could hardly believe his eyes. Instead of being a tall,
tall giantess with her head up in the clouds, she reached just to D.
Joao's own shoulder. D. Joao was so surprised that he had to sit down
in a chair and be fanned. He couldn't say a single word for eighteen
minutes and a half--his breath had been so completely taken away.

"It is a good thing that you happened to think of me just as soon as
you did," remarked Guimara. "I was getting smaller and smaller. If you
had neglected to think of me for another minute I should have faded
away entirely and you would have never known what had become of me."

When Guimara became small she lost her power as an enchantress
entirely. Her lov