Then she said , ` Your heart is heavy with two sorrows , one old and one new . The new sorrow is for your husband , who is fighting far away from you ; but , believe me , he is well , and will soon bring you joyful news . But your other sorrow is much older than this . Your happiness is spoilt because you have no children . ' At these words the queen became scarlet , and tried to draw away her hand , but the old woman said : ` Have a little patience , for there are some things I want to see more clearly . ' ` But who are you ? ' asked the queen , ` for you seem to be able to read my heart . ' ` Never mind my name , ' answered she , ` but rejoice that it is permitted to me to show you a way to lessen your grief . You must , however , promise to do exactly what I tell you , if any good is to come of it . ' ` Oh , I will obey you exactly , ' cried the queen , ` and if you can help me you shall have in return anything you ask for . ' The old woman stood thinking for a little : then she drew something from the folds of her dress , and , undoing a number of wrappings , brought out a tiny basket made of birch-bark . She held it out to the queen , saying , ` In the basket you will find a bird 's egg . This you must be careful to keep in a warm place for three months , when it will turn into a doll . Lay the doll in a basket lined with soft wool , and leave it alone , for it will not need any food , and by-and-by you will find it has grown to be the size of a baby . Then you will have a baby of your own , and you must put it by the side of the other child , and bring your husband to see his son and daughter . The boy you will bring up yourself , but you must entrust the little girl to a nurse . When the time comes to have them christened you will invite me to be godmother to the princess , and this is how you must send the invitation . Hidden in the cradle , you will find a goose 's wing : throw this out of the window , and I will be with you directly ; but be sure you tell no one of all the things that have befallen you . ' The queen was about to reply , but the old woman was already limping away , and before she had gone two steps she had turned into a young girl , who moved so quickly that she seemed rather to fly than to walk . The queen , watching this transformation , could hardly believe her eyes , and would have taken it all for a dream , had it not been for the basket which she held in her hand .
Feeling a different being from the poor sad woman who had wandered into the garden so short a time before , she hastened to her room , and felt carefully in the basket XXXXX the egg .
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