And he gave World 's - weight a cuff , because he was old enough to know better . Peter sat trembling on the tree dreading lest his dogs had never heard , or else that , having heard , they had refused to come . It was his last chance , so making a mighty effort he shrieked once more : ` Iron-strong , World 's - weight , Quick-ear , fly to my help , or I am a dead man ! ' And Iron-strong heard , and said : ` Yes , he is certainly calling , we must go at once . ' And in an instant he had burst open the door , and all three were bounding away in the direction of the voice . When they reached the foot of the tree Peter just said : ` At him ! ' And in a few minutes there was nothing left of Eisenkopf . As soon as his enemy was dead Peter got down and returned to the house , where he bade farewell to the old woman and her daughter , who gave him a beautiful ring , all set with diamonds . It was really a magic ring , but neither Peter nor the maiden knew that . Peter 's heart was heavy as he set out for home . He had ceased to love the wife whom he had left at his wedding feast , and his heart had gone out to the golden-haired girl . However , it was no use thinking of that , so he rode forward steadily . The fire had to be passed through before he had gone very far , and when he came to it , Peter shook the napkins three times in the flames and a passage opened for trim . But then a curious thing happened ; the three dogs , who had followed at his heels all the way , now became three cakes again , which Peter put into his bag with the napkins . After that he stopped at the houses of the three old women , and gave each one back her napkin and her cake . ` Where is my wife ? ' asked Peter , when he reached home . ` Oh , my dear son , why did you ever leave us ? After you had vanished , no one knew where , your poor wife grew more and more wretched , and would neither eat nor drink . Little by little she faded away , and a month ago we laid her in her grave , to hide her sorrows under the earth . '
XXXXX this news Peter began to weep , for he had loved his wife before he went away and had seen the golden-haired maiden .
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