And they all began to sing and to jump one after another across the fire . Suddenly , close behind them , they heard a sigh , then a groan . ` Ah ! ' They turned hastily and looked at each other . There was nothing . They looked again . Where was Snowflake ? She has hidden herself for fun , they thought , and searched for her everywhere . ` Snowflake ! Snowflake ! ' But there was no answer . ` Where can she be ? Oh , she must have gone home . ' They returned to the village , but there was no Snowflake . For days after that they sought her high and low . They examined every bush and every hedge , but there was no Snowflake . And long after everyone else had given up hope Ivan and Marie would wander through the woods crying ` Snowflake , my dove , come back , come back ! ' And sometimes they thought they heard a call , but it was never the voice of Snowflake . And what had become of her ? Had a fierce wild beast seized her and dragged her into his lair in the forest ?
Had some bird carried her off XXXXX the wide blue sea ?
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