And have you seen this same fairy-like creature
suddenly perch itself on a twig, in the shade, its misty wings
and fan-like tail folded, the iridescent glory vanished, looking
like some common dull-plumaged little bird sitting listless in a
cage? Just so great was the difference in the girl as I had seen
her in the forest and as she now appeared under the smoky roof in
the firelight.
After watching her for some moments, I spoke: "Rima, there must
be a good deal of strength in that frame of yours, which looks so
delicate; will you raise me up a little?"
She went down on one knee and, placing her arms round me,
assisted me to a sitting posture.
"Thank you, Rima--oh, misery!" I groaned. "Is there a bone left
unbroken in my poor body?"
"Nothing broken," cried the old man, clouds of smoke flying out
with his words. "I have examined you well--legs, arms, ribs.
For this is how it was, senor. A thorny bush into which you fell
saved you from being flattened on the stony ground. But you are
bruised, sir, black with bruises; and there are more scratches of
thorns on your skin than letters on a written page.
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