Ahningnetty, summoning some of the other maidens, surveyed Papik's load
of blubber.

"Truly, as he saith, there is little food, and happy will be Papik's
wife," said one.

"But when thy blubber is gone with what shalt thou provide her?" asked
Ahningnetty.

"Perchance the bears will come," Papik said. "And skillful is Papik's
hand with the lance."

"But thy hand is long, Papik, and long fingers soon lose their skill."

Ahningnetty dubiously shook her head.

"But thou art chubby--yea," said Papik admiringly--"thou art fat as the
mother bears after a fat summer, and thy body is warm; it giveth heat;
Papik would give thee food, and thou shalt keep him warm during the
long winter."

The maiden smiled delightedly. For, as Papik indicated, whereas a man
may admire a slimmer beauty during the summer, when the long night
comes a maiden fat and chubby is a wife to be prized.

"But alas, thy nose is long, Papik," she said, shaking her head.

And the others chorused:

"Long nose, short life! Long nose--short life! Long nose--short