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LABOULAYE’S FAIRY BOOK
"1 will obey,” said Yvon; upon which he sat down by
the side of Finette and began to talk with her. They
talked of everything; but, however far their fancy strayed,
they always came back to the point that they were promised
to each other and that they must escape from the giant.
Time passes quickly in this kind of talk. The evening
drew nigh. Yvon had forgotten the horse and the moun¬
tain, and Finette was obliged to send him away, advising
him to bring back the animal before his master’s arrival.
Yvon took down the bit that was hidden behind the
stable door and hastened to the mountain, when, lo! a
horse almost as large as an elephant rushed toward him
at full gallop, breathing fire and smoke from his nostrils.
Yvon firmly awaited the huge animal, and, the moment he
opened his enormous jaws, thrust between them the bit:
when, lo! the horse instantly became as gentle as a lamb.
Yvon made him kneel down, sprang on his back, and tran¬
quilly returned home.
His task finished, Yvon seated himself on the bench
before the door of the house. As soon as he saw the giant
coming, he lolled back in his seat, crossed his legs, and began
to sing one of his native airs.
“Have you brought back the horse?” asked the giant,
with a frown.
“Yes, master,” answered Yvon, without taking the
trouble to move. "He is a fine animal and does you
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