Oona put a baby’s cap on Finn’s head. “You are now,” she told him, and she gave him a nightgown and made their bathtub (浴缸) look like a giant baby’s bed. “Lie down,” she told Finn, “and leave Angus to me.”
Soon there came a loud knock on the door. Oona opened it. There stood Angus, his face redder and angrier than ever. “I’ve come to see Finn,” he said.
Oona smiled. “Come in,” she said. “He’s out hunting, but he’ll be back soon.”
“Are you a friend of Finn’s?” Oona asked.
“No,” roared Angus. “I’ve come to show him that I’m stronger than he is.”
“Really?” said Oona. “A little fellow like you?”
“Little?” said Angus crossly. “I’m the biggest giant there is!”
Oona smiled. “I don’t mean to be rude (无礼的),” she said, “but you’re hardly bigger than Finn’s baby.” And she nodded at the cot where Finn lay staring up with wide, nervous eyes.
“Goo, goo,” said Finn.
Angus looked at the cot. “My!” he said. “What a big baby!”
“Not really,” Oona said. “Not when you think how big his daddy is.”
Now Angus began to worry. If Finn’s baby was so big, Finn must be much bigger! “Still,” he said, “Finn may be big, but he can’t be as strong as I am!”
“I’m glad to hear it,” said Oona. “I have a job that needs doing. If you’re stronger than Finn is, you’ll find it easy.”
“I’m sure I will,” said Angus.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Oona said. “I’d like you to turn the house around.”
Angus stared. “Turn the house around?” he said.
“Why, yes,” said Oona. “Finn always turns the house around at this time of the day. I like the sun to shine in the door.”
Angus gulped (喘气). He went outside and took hold of the house. Then he tried hard and very slowly, he turned the house around.
In his cot, Finn felt the house move. He put his thumb in his mouth and sucked (吸吮) it, worrying. Angus must be very strong to do such a thing.
At last, Angus finished turning the house. “There!” he said proudly.
“Well done,” said Oona. “Finn can do it much faster than that, mind you.”
Angus’ face fell.
“But that wasn’t bad for such a little fellow,” Oona went on. “You must be tired now. Come in and have a snack.”
(To be continued…)