You must not imagine, however, that the
swinish quality had entirely gone out of them.
When once it fastens itself into a person's
character, it is very difficult getting rid of it
This was proved by the hamadryad, who, being
exceedingly fond of mischief, threw another
handful of acorns before the twenty-two newly-
restored people; whereupon down they wal-
lowed, in a moment, and gobbled them up in a
very shameful way. Then, recollecting them-
selves, they scrambled to their feet, and looked
more than commonly foolish.

"Thanks, noble Ulysses!" they cried. "From
brute beasts you have restored us to the con-
dition of men again."

"Do not put yourselves to the trouble of
thanking me," said the wise king. "I fear I
have done but little for you."

To say the truth, there was a suspicious kind
of a grunt in their voices, and, for a long time
afterwards, they spoke gruffly, and were apt to
set up a squeal.

"It must depend on your own future beha-
vior," added Ulysses, "whether you do not find
your way back to the sty."

[[211]]

p210 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p211w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p212

v?