Page:The Japanese Fairy Book.djvu/294

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How an Old Man Lost his Wen.
277

"Then you must leave some pledge of your word with us," said the demon.

"Whatever you like," said the old man.

"Now what is the best thing he can leave with us as a pledge?" asked the demon, looking round.

The Demon took the great Lump from the Old Man's Cheek
The Demon took the great Lump from the Old Man's Cheek

The Demon took the great Lump from the Old Man's Cheek

Then said one of the demon's attendants kneeling behind the chief: "The token he leaves with us must be the most important thing to him in his possession. I see the old man has a wen on his right cheek. Now mortal men consider such a wen very fortunate. Let my lord take the lump from the old man's right cheek, and he will surely come to-morrow, if only to get that back."