"That is the song, grandfather. And will brother still want to meet the wicked things, these Korrigan fairies who snatch away babes?"
"What have you now to say in defense of your fairies, my pet?"
"Grandfather, my sweet sister Roselyk has been imposed upon by evil tongues. All mothers with ugly urchins for children declare that the Korrigans substituted a little monster for their darling."
"And, on my part, I maintain that the Korrigans are, on the contrary, sweet and serviceable. Do you know the valley of Helle?"
"One time the finest hay in the world was to be got in that valley--
"Well, that was thanks to the Korrigans--"
"When the time for mowing and haymaking came around, the Korrigans arrived and camped on the crests of the rocks around the valley to watch over the meadow. If during the day the sun parched the grass too much, the Korrigans caused a plentiful dew to drop. When the grass was mowed, they scattered the clouds that might have interfered with the making of hay. A foolish and wicked bishop wanted to chase away the pretty and kind fairies. He caused a large heather fire to be kindled early one night all over the rocks; when these were sufficiently hot, the ashes, were all carefully removed. At their regular hour, and suspecting nothing, the dear Korrigans came to hold watch over the meadow, but they instantly burned their feet on the hot rocks. They then wept and cried: 'Oh! Wicked world! Oh! Wicked world!' Since then they never more returned to the place, and as a consequence, ever since, the hay has been either rotted by the rain, or burned by the sun in the valley of Helle. That is what comes of being unkind to the Korrigans. No, I shall not die happy if I do not see at least one of them--"
"Children, children, put no faith in such witcheries; above all never wish to witness any. It brings bad luck--"
"What, mother, simply because I desire to see a Korrigan, some misfortune will befall me? What kind of misfortune?"
"Hesus only knows, wild boy! I wish you would keep still; your talk frightens me."
"And it is on such a night that Karadeucq dared to say he would give his life to see a Korrigan."
"Come, dear wife, your fears only show weakness."
"Mothers are weak and timid, Jocelyn. We must not tempt God--"