thenterrorseizedonmyheart，butIsteppedoverthethreshold，andasthedoorofthechamberwasopen，Ilookedasideandsawthereinthewomansittingstarknakedonthefloorwithagreatopenbookbeforeher，anditwasfromhermouththatthesongwascoming：
grimshelooked，andawful，forshewasabigwoman，black-hairedandsternofaspectinherdailywont，speakingtomeasfewwordsasmightbe，andthoseharshenough，yeaharsherthanwhenIwasbutlittle。
Istoodforonemomentafraidbeyondmeasure，thoughthewomandidnotlookatme，andIhopedshehadnotseenme；thenIranbackintothestorm，thoughitwasnowwilderthanever，andranandhidmyselfinthethicketofthewood，half-deadwithfear，andwonderingwhatwouldbecomeofme。
Butfindingthatnoonefollowedafterme，Igrewcalmer，andthestormalsodrewoff，andthesunshoneoutalittlebeforehissetting：
soIsatandspun，withfearinmyheart，tillIhadfinishedmytaleofthread，andwhenduskcame，stolebackagaintothehouse，thoughmylegswouldscarcebearmeoverthethresholdintothechamber。