human
If he does not make haste, cried Grethel to her master,
gpt
I must take them away from the fire; it's a pity and a shame not to eat them now, just when they are done to a turn.
human
Standing so long before the fire, said she,
gpt
So down she ran, took up a mug, and saying,
human
Here's to me! took a good draught.
gpt
One good drink deserves another, she said
human
so she took another hearty draught. Then she went and put the fowls down to the fire again, and, basting them with butter, she turned the spit briskly round. And now they began to smell so good that Grethel saying,
gpt
I must find out whether they really are all right, licked her fingers, and then cried,
human
Well, I never! the fowls are good; it's a sin and a shame that no one is here to eat them!
gpt
Why, one of the wings is burning! she cried presently,
human
I had better eat it and get it out of the way.
gpt
I had better cut off the other too, in case the master should miss anything.
human
Who knows, said she,
gpt
And after a pause she said again,
human
Come, I may as well make myself happy, and first I will make sure of a good drink and then of a good meal, and when all is done I shall be easy; the gifts of the gods are not to be despised. So first she ran down into the cellar and had a famous drink, and ate up one of the fowls with great relish. And when that was done, and still the master did not come, Grethel eyed the other fowl, saying,
gpt
What one is the other must be, the two belong to each other, it is only fair that they should be both treated alike; perhaps, when I have had another drink, I shall be able to manage it.
human
Make haste, Grethel, cried he,
gpt
human
Very well, master, she answered,
gpt
The master went to see that the table was properly laid, and, taking the great carving knife with which he meant to carve the fowls, he sharpened it upon the step. Presently came the guest, knocking very genteelly and softly at the front door. Grethel ran and looked to see who it was, and when she caught sight of the guest she put her finger on her lip saying,
human
Hush! make the best haste you can out of this, for if my master catches you, it will be bad for you; he asked you to come to supper, but he really means to cut off your ears! Just listen how he is sharpening his knife!
gpt
A pretty guest you have asked to the house!
human
How so, Grethel? what do you mean?
gpt
What indeed! said she;
human
That's pretty sort of conduct! said the master, feeling very sorry about the fowls;
gpt
And he called out to him to stop, but the guest made as if he did not hear him; then he ran after him, the knife still in his hand, crying out,
human
Only one! only one!