Page:Little Ellie and Other Tales (1850).djvu/36

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Little Ellie.

was over, and the dry stubble again on the field. “Farewell! farewell!” repeated she, and twined her arms round a little flower that stood near her. Remember me to the swallow if you should chance to see him.”

“Chirrup! chirrup! chirrup!” resounded at the same moment; and when Ellie lifted up her eyes, she saw the very same well- known swallow fly by. As soon as the bird perceived Ellie, he instantly flew to his kind nurse, who told him how unwilling she was to take the ugly mole for her husband; and that she was to live with him under-ground, where the sun and moon would never shine. At these words she burst into tears.

“Winter will soon be here,” said the swallow, “and I shall fly far away to the warm countries. If you will travel with me, I will willingly take you on my back. You have only to bind yourself on firmly with your girdle, and off we will fly far away from the hateful mole and his dark chamber, over mountain and valley, to

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