asked what ailed him, he said that he had seen such a wondrously beautiful child in the forest, and that he loved him so that he could rest no more. The boy had the very golden hair and the same radiant forehead that his wife had promised him.
The old woman was sore afraid at these words. She hastened to the stream, saw the house, peeped in, and there sat a lovely girl, like a moon fourteen days old. The girl entreated the old woman courteously, and asked her what she sought. The old woman did not wait to be asked twice; indeed, her foot was scarce across the threshold when she began to ask the girl with honey-sweet words whether she lived all alone.
"Nay, my mother," replied the girl; "I have a young brother. In the day-time he goes hunting, and in the evening he comes home."
"Dost thou not grow weary of being all alone here by thyself?" inquired the witch.—"If even I did," said the girl, "what can I do? I must fill up my time as best I may."
"Tell me now, my little diamond! dost thou dearly love this brother of thine?"
"Of course I do."
"Well, then, my girl," said the witch, "I'll tell thee something, but don't let it go any further! When thy brother comes home this evening, fall to
