Page:The shoemaker's apron (1920).djvu/296

 “I’ll be ready in a moment,” the shoemaker said, “Just let me put a last stitch in these shoes.”

When the shoemaker had finished sewing the shoes, he put aside his work, bade his wife good-by, and said to the devil:

“Now then, I’m ready. Let us go.”

But the devil when he tried to move away from the window found that he was held fast. It was as if his feet had been soldered to the earth. In great fright he cried out:

“Oh, my dear little shoemaker, help me! I can’t move!”

“What’s this trick you’re playing on me?” the shoemaker said. “Now I’m ready to go and you aren’t! What do you mean by making a fool of me this way?”

“Just help me to get free,” the devil cried, “and I’ll do anything in the world for you! I’ll give you seven more years! I swear I will!”

“Very well,” the shoemaker said, “then I’ll help you this time. But never again! Now remember: I won’t let you make a fool of me a third time!”

So the shoemaker freed the devil from the window and the devil without another word scurried off.

At the end of another seven years he appeared again.