3.  The Adoption

  The Master Woodsman suddenly rose, with knitted brows.  "There
is a strange presence in the Forest," he declared.  Then the
Queen and her nymphs turned and saw standing before them
Necile, with the sleeping infant clasped tightly in her arms
and a defiant look in her deep blue eyes.

  And thus for a moment they remained, the nymphs filled with
surprise and consternation, but the brow of the Master
Woodsman gradually clearing as he gazed intently upon the
beautiful immortal who had wilfully broken the Law.  Then the
great Ak, to the wonder of all, laid his hand softly on
Necile's flowing locks and kissed her on her fair forehead.

  "For the first time within my knowledge," said he, gently, "a
nymph has defied me and my laws; yet in my heart can I find no
word of chiding.  What is your desire, Necile?"

  "Let me keep the child!" she answered, beginning to tremble
and falling on her knees in supplication.

  "Here, in the Forest of Burzee, where the human race has never
yet penetrated?" questioned Ak.

  "Here, in the Forest of Burzee," replied the nymph, boldly. 
"It is my home, and I am weary for lack of occupation.  Let me
care for the babe!  See how weak and helpless it is.  Surely
it can not harm Burzee nor the Master Woodsman of the World!"

  "But the Law, child, the Law!" cried Ak, sternly.

  "The Law is made by the Master Woodsman," returned Necile; "if
he bids me care for the babe he himself has saved from death,
who in all the world dare oppose me?"  Queen Zurline, who had
listened intently to this conversation, clapped her pretty
hands gleefully at the nymph's answer.

  "You are fairly trapped, O Ak!" she exclaimed, laughing. 
"Now, I pray you, give heed to Necile's petition."

  The Woodsman, as was his habit when in thought, stroked his
grizzled beard slowly.  Then he said:

  "She shall keep the babe, and I will give it my protection. 
But I warn you all that as this is the first time I have
relaxed the Law, so shall it be the last time.  Never more, to
the end of the World, shall a mortal be adopted by an
immortal.  Otherwise would we abandon our happy existence for
one of trouble and anxiety.  Good night, my nymphs!"

  Then Ak was gone from their midst, and Necile hurried away to
her bower to rejoice over her new-found treasure.