But how was it to be done? Idun guarded
the golden fruit of immortality with sleepless watchfulness. No one ever
touched it but herself, and a beautiful sight it was to see her fair
hands spread it forth for the morning feasts in Asgard. The power which
Loki possessed lay not so much in his own strength, although he had a
smooth way of deceiving people, as in the goodness of others who had no
thought of his doing wrong because they never did wrong themselves.
Not long after all this happened, Loki came carelessly up to Idun as she
was gathering her Apples to put them away in the beautiful carven box
which held them.
"Good-morning, goddess," said he. "How fair and golden your Apples are!"
"Yes," answered Idun; "the bloom of youth keeps them always beautiful."
"I never saw anything like them," continued Loki slowly, as if he were
talking about a matter of no importance, "until the other day."
Idun looked up at once with the greatest interest and curiosity in her
face. She was very proud of her Apples, and she knew no earthly trees,
however large and fair, bore the immortal fruit.
"Where have you seen any Apples like them?" she asked.
"Oh, just outside the gates," said Loki indifferently. "If you care to
see them I'll take you there. It will keep you but a moment. The tree is
only a little way off."
Idun was anxious to go at once.
Pages:
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395