scented its aroma a long way off. It will taste good to me on a
cold night, like this. I hope he has given me a big lump of butter
this year, since I have been so good to him. [Loosens belt.] There!
get you ready, my stomach. I'll let out two holes in the belt,
which will make it about right. [He sees dish.] Ah, ha! what's
this? Empty dishes! What has come over the old man-hater? Has he
grown stingy and arrogant, or does he mock me, when he sets out an
empty dish! There has been porridge here [smells]--butter, too!
Well, well, old man! I'm sorry for you, but I shall have to punish
you. The elf is for the purpose of punishing and rewarding. I must
sit down and think out some _real_ Christmas gift. [Sits in chair.]
Let me see! The old man shuts himself up in this place with his
son, whom he wishes to shield from the evils and shams of the
world. The old man has seen much of the world, and hates it; the
young one has never been beyond the church door and has seen the
world only from the tower. But I know that it tempts him, just
because he has seen it like this--from a bird's-eye view. The old
man has but one wish in life--that his son shall succeed him and
thus be spared the struggles of life and the cruelty of men. It is
this wish which I shall cross; it is his only vulnerable point.
Well and good! I'll call his godmother. She shall take the boy in
hand and show him all the glories of the world; afterwards, there
will be nothing more for the old man to do in the matter. The
dreams of youth--I know their powers. Well, then! [Blows a whistle.]

[Fairy dressed like an old witch, with brown cloak and cane,
emerges from behind a post.]

FAIRY. Good evening, lad.