s Red Loki," said they, "who has brought us to this sad pass." So
they began to reproach him very bitterly, threatening even to kill him
if he did not find some way to evade the loss which threatened them.

At length, being really frightened, Loki promised to do
something--anything, that would prevent the Master Builder from
finishing the work during the three days that yet remained of winter.

That same night good Svadilfare was painfully dragging a great block
of stone along the path to the new-built fortress, when Red Loki,
changed into the semblance of a pretty little grey mare, came running
up, saying, as plainly as horses can speak:

"Down below there is a delightful green meadow. Do come with me, and
take a holiday from this ever-lasting work."

Scarcely had he heard her neigh when the steed kicked off his harness,
left the block of stone to roll down the steep hill, and rushed after
the mare. Away ran Loki, away ran Svadilfare, and after them rushed
the Master Builder, shouting and yelling in vain. The noise they made
was terrific, for the gallop of the horses and the _thud_, _thud_, of
the mighty Builder shook the walls of Asgard and made the
earth-dwellers shrink in terror from what they imagined to be
thunderstorms and earthquakes. But the Builder never found his horse,
for Loki had lured him to a meadow hidden safely away within a secret
grove.

When the Master Builder returned to the fortress the first day of
summer had dawned, and lo! the winter was gone, and the gateway of the
building was unfinished.

Before it stood the Asas, and All-Father Odin greeted the Builder
with:

"See, fellow, here is the first day of summer and your task is not yet
fulfilled. Begone, then, from Asgard, for we are free from our bond,
and would have no further dealing with thee or thy evil brood."

Then the Builder perceived that Odin knew who he really was, and with
a roar of rage he returned to his own form, and stood revealed as a
mighty Frost Giant, almost as huge as the fortress he had built.

Shaking his great fist at the Asas, he shouted threateningly:

"Ye have tricked and fooled me enough. Not for nothing does a Frost
Giant stand within the walls of Asgard. Were it not so strongly built
I would now tear down this fortress that I have raised; but your own
palaces are not giant-built, and see to it that they are not soon
tumbling about your ears!"

And in good sooth he might have torn down the very halls of t