by came to the conclusion that they rather resembled the latter. Finally, there stood the twenty-two comrades of Ulysses, looking pretty much the same as when they left the vessel.
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 wallowed, in a moment, and gobbled them up in a very shameful way. Then, recollecting themselves, 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 condition 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 upon your own future behaviour,' added Ulysses, 'whether you do not find your way back to the sty.'
At this moment the note of a bird sounded from the branch of a neighbouring tree.
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