neck. "With all my heart!" replied Wolf; "for, to tell the truth, I
am wearied and hungry; one does not get such offers as yours every day."
"I cannot go," again said Eric. _They_ could not see the thread, for to
some it was invisible; but _he_ saw it, and felt it like a wire passing
away from the cottage. "Who are you, kind friends?" inquired Eric.
"Friends of the king and of his family. Honest subjects, good people,"
said the old woman. "Do you know Prince Eric?" asked Wolf. "Right well!"
replied the young woman. "He is a great friend of mine; a fine, tall,
comely youth. He calls me his own little sweetheart." "It is false!"
said Eric; "you do not know him. You should not lie." But he did not
tell her who he was, neither did Wolf, for Eric had made a sign to him
to be silent. "I won't enter your dwelling," said Eric, "for my duty
calls me away." They both gave a loud laugh, and said, "Hear him! Only
hear a fine young fellow talking about duty! Pleasure, ease, and liberty
are for the young. We only want to make you happy: come!" "I shall go
with you," said Wolf; "do come, Eric." "Wolf, speak to me," whispered
Eric to the swineherd. "You know _I_ cannot go, for my duty tells me to
follow the thread. But now I see that this is the house of the wicked,
for you heard how they lied; they neither know the king nor his
children; and they laugh too at duty. Be advised, Wolf, and follow me."
Wolf hesitated, and looked displeased. "Only for an hour, Eric!" "Not a
minute. Wolf. If you trust them more than me, go; but I am sure you and
I shall never meet again." "Then I will trust you, Eric," said Wolf;
"the voice in my heart tells me to do so." And so they both passed on.
But the old woman and the girl began to abuse them, and call them all
manner of evil names, and to laugh at them as silly fellows. The girl
threw stones at them, which made Wolf turn round and flourish his stick
over his head. At last they entered the cottage, the old woman shaking
her fist, and calling out from the door, "I'll soon send my friend Ralph
after you!" "Oh, ho! is that the way the wind blows!" exclaimed Wolf,
with a whistle; and, grasping Eric's arm, said, "You were right, prince!
I never suspected them. I see now they are bad." "I saw that before,"
replied Eric, "and knew that no good would come to us from making their
acquaintance." "Were they not cunning?" "Yes; but, probably, with all
their smiles, flattery, and fair promises, they would have prov