“It’s too bad you feel that way,” she said. She tied him to her hair,
Then unrolled a sleeping bag, and settled down to sleep right there.
“Just a kiss was all I asked for. Since you’re not cooperating,
You can stay here as my prisoner, with no further chance of dating.”

“Don’t you understand?” he asked at last, “It isn’t right to cheat.
I came here in to find my boyfriend, who would make my life complete.
I don’t want a passing interlude, that only serves to ruin
Someone else’s proper fairytale, which should have been there shoe-in.”

“Are you absolutely sure of that?” asked Ells-Bethe, looking stern.
“If you never let me go, then I shall simply have to learn
How to cope with being punished for continually adhering
To my principles, no matter how your features are endearing.”

“Well I’m glad to hear it,” Ells-Bethe said, and rapidly untied
Little Britt, “I never would have let you kiss me, if you tried.
Here’s a picture of my little sister, who was once discarded
By Deevawsidadde, a disappointment. This has left her guarded.”

“She’s adorable as you are,” Britt said, “What’s this have to do
With the way you brought me here and tried to force a kiss with you?”
“She’s retreated into parenting her daughter in denial
Of her loneliness, despite the news of Alicindra’s trial …

… She was unconvinced that she could ever trust another spouse.
And her daughter’s made new friends and has a life outside the house.
So I asked her: If I tested someone’s values, being careful,
Would she give some thought to trusting him? She said she would, though prayerful …

… Would you like me to inform her of the ways that you replied
To the pressure I employed? I really think that she’ll decide
To go out with you.” So Britt said, “Yes.” His courtship started healing
All the damage from Deevawsidadde’s unfaithful double dealing.

One day people from the Viking village, sitting high on rocks,
Watched a giant girl appearing in the water, near the docks.
It was Kayte. She strode right into town, and scanned the village, searching.
Then she came upon a lonely hill, where Tennyce rested, perching.

He’d been watching Kayte approaching, and experienced a fear
For himself and other villagers; but as the girl drew near,
He could only think romantic words, which sounded good on paper,
As he thought back to the way they’d met and she’d announced her caper.

“Can we talk?” she asked, “I borrowed one of mother’s amulets
For her customers. I could have gathered up the Viking nets
And ensnared a score of Viking boys and had them all for dinner.
But I came to win your trust, if that’s a suitable beginner.”

“What about those other boys you’re dating?” Tennyce asked, perplexed.
“I just stood one up, and didn’t want another date made next,”
Kayte replied, “I didn’t mean it, when I said I’d not have missed you.
If you find the truth convincing, I’m unable to resist you…”