Suddenly a huge green lizard appeared from the inside and stood before Masaniello , who nearly went out of his mind with terror , for the beast was as big as a crocodile and quite as fierce looking . But the lizard sat down beside him in the most friendly manner , and said : ` Do n't be afraid , my good man , I am not going to hurt you ; on the contrary , I am most anxious to help you . ' When the peasant heard these words he knelt before the lizard and said : ` Dear lady , for I know not what to call you , I am in your power ; but I beg of you to be merciful , for I have twelve wretched little daughters at home who are dependent on me . ' ` That 's the very reason why I have come to you , ' replied the lizard . ` Bring me your youngest daughter to-morrow morning . I promise to bring her up as if she were my own child , and to look upon her as the apple of my eye . ' When Masaniello heard her words he was very unhappy , because he felt sure , from the lizard 's wanting one of his daughters , the youngest and tenderest too , that the poor little girl would only serve as dessert for the terrible creature 's supper . At the same time he said to himself , ` If I refuse her request , she will certainly eat me up on the spot . If I give her what she asks she does indeed take part of myself , but if I refuse she will take the whole of me . What am I to do , and how in the world am I to get out of the difficulty ? ' As he kept muttering to himself the lizard said , ` Make up your mind to do as I tell you at once . I desire to have your youngest daughter , and if you wo n't comply with my wish , I can only say it will be the worse for you . ' Seeing that there was nothing else to be done , Masaniello set off for his home , and arrived there looking so white and wretched that his wife asked him at once : ` What has happened to you , my dear husband ? Have you quarrelled with anyone , or has the poor donkey fallen down ? ' ` Neither the one nor the other , ' answered her husband , ` but something far worse than either . A terrible lizard has nearly frightened me out of my senses , for she threatened that if I did not give her our youngest daughter , she would make me repent it . My head is going round like a mill-wheel , and I do n't know what to do . I am indeed between the Devil and the Deep Sea . You know how dearly I love Renzolla , and yet , if I fail to bring her to the lizard to-morrow morning , I must say farewell to life . Do advise me what to do . '
When his wife had heard all he had to say , she said to him : ` How do you know , my dear husband , XXXXX the lizard is really our enemy ?
As at because before between down for if like that