Claus, however, being mortal, grew to manhood day by day. Necile was disturbed, presently, to find him too big to lie in her lap, and he had a desire for other food than milk. His stout² legs carried him far into Burzee's heart, where he gathered supplies of nuts and berries, as well as several sweet and wholesome³ roots, which suited his stomach better than the belludders. He sought Necile's bower⁴ less frequently, till finally it became his custom to return thither⁵ only to sleep.

 

The nymph, who had come to love him dearly, was puzzled to comprehend the changed nature of her charge, and unconsciously altered her own mode of life to conform to his whims⁶. She followed him readily through the forest paths, as did many of her sister nymphs, explaining as they walked all the mysteries of the gigantic wood and the habits and nature of the living things which dwelt beneath its shade.

 

The language of the beasts became clear to little Claus; but he never could understand their sulky and morose⁷ tempers. Only the squirrels, the mice and the rabbits seemed to possess cheerful and merry natures; yet would the boy laugh when the panther growled⁸, and stroke the bear's glossy¹⁰ coat while the creature snarled¹¹ and bared its teeth menacingly. The

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