Page:Tales from the Fjeld.djvu/52

30 has fallen into the cask and drowned himself; dame Partlet sits in the ingle sighing and sobbing; and the Handquern grinds and groans. That's why I creak and crackle, and croak and crack."

"Well," said the Door, "if I can do naught else, I can rattle and bang, and whistle and slam;" and with that it began to open and shut, and bang and slam, it deaved one to hear, and all one's teeth chattered.

All this the Stove heard, and it opened its mouth and called out—

"Door! Door! why all this slamming and banging?"

"Why not," said the Door, "when goodman Chanticleer has fallen into the cask and drowned himself; dame Partlet sits in the ingle sighing and sobbing; the Handquern grinds and groans; and the Chair creaks and cracks. That's why I bang and slam."

"Well," said the Stove, "if I can do naught else, I can smoulder and smoke;" and so it fell a-smoking and steaming till the room was all in a cloud.

The Axe saw this as it stood outside, and peeped with its shaft through the window.

"What's all this smoke about, Mrs. Stove?" said the Axe in a sharp voice.

"Why not," said the Stove, "when goodman Chanticleer has fallen into the cask and drowned himself; dame Partlet sits in the ingle sighing and sobbing; the Handquern grinds and groans; the Chair creaks and cracks; and the Door bangs and slams. That's why I smoke and steam."

"Well, if I can do naught else, I can rive and rend," said the Axe; and with that it fell to riving and rending all around about.