But she sat down with the rest , and ate some delicious fruit , and thought she must be in heaven . The guests talked softly , but their speech was strange to Elsa , and she understood nothing of what was said . Then the hostess turned round and whispered something to a maid behind her chair , and the maid left the hall , and when she came back she brought a little old man with her , who had a beard longer than himself . He bowed low to the lady and then stood quietly near the door . ` Do you see this girl ? ' said the lady of the house , pointing to Elsa . ' I wish to adopt her for my daughter . Make me a copy of her , which we can send to her native village instead of herself . ' The old man looked Elsa all up and down , as if he was taking her measure , bowed again to the lady , and left the hall . After dinner the lady said kindly to Elsa , ` Kisika has begged me to let you stay with her , and you have told her you would like to live here . Is that so ? ' At these words Elsa fell on her knees , and kissed the lady 's hands and feet in gratitude for her escape from her cruel stepmother ; but her hostess raised her from the ground and patted her head , saying , ` All will go well as long as you are a good , obedient child , and I will take care of you and see that you want for nothing till you are grown up and can look after yourself . My waiting-maid , who teaches Kisika all sorts of fine handiwork , shall teach you too . ' Not long after the old man came back with a mould full of clay on his shoulders , and a little covered basket in his left hand . He put down his mould and his basket on the ground , took up a handful of clay , and made a doll as large as life . When it was finished he bored a hole in the doll 's breast and put a bit of bread inside ; then , drawing a snake out of the basket , forced it to enter the hollow body . ` Now , ' he said to the lady , ` all we want is a drop of the maiden 's blood . ' When she heard this Elsa grew white with horror , for she thought she was selling her soul to the evil one . ` Do not be afraid ! ' the lady hastened to say ; ` we do not want your blood for any bad purpose , but rather to give you freedom and happiness . '
Then she took a tiny golden needle , pricked XXXXX in the arm , and gave the needle to the old man , who stuck it into the heart of the doll .
Elsa Kisika doll escape girl ground house left measure waiting-maid