inquired the prince . ' I can not tell -- I did not dare to ask her ; but perhaps she would tell you . ' And the master , greatly wondering , climbed up the tree . ` What is the matter with you ? ' said he gently , and , as she only sobbed louder , he continued : ` Are you a woman , or a spirit of the woods ? ' ' I am a woman , ' she answered slowly , wiping her eyes with a leaf of the creeper that hung about her . ` Then why do you cry ? ' he persisted . ' I have many things to cry for , ' she replied , ` more than you could ever guess . ' ` Come home with me , ' said the prince ; ` it is not very far . Come home to my father and mother . I am a king 's son . ' ` Then why are you here ? ' she said , opening her eyes and staring at him . ` Once every month I and my friends shoot birds in the forest , ' he answered , ` but I was tired and bade them leave me to rest . And you -- what are you doing up in this tree ? ' At that she began to cry again , and told the king 's son all that had befallen her since the death of her mother . ' I can not come down with you , for I do not like anyone to see me , ' she ended with a sob . ` Oh ! I will manage all that , ' said the king 's son , and swinging himself to a lower branch , he bade his slave go quickly into the town , and bring back with him four strong men and a curtained litter .
When the man was gone , the girl climbed down , and hid herself on the ground XXXXX some bushes .
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