When Peter knew that he had nothing more to fear from Eisenkopf , he rode on slowly till he came to a small white house . Here he entered and found himself in a room where a gray-haired woman was spinning and a beautiful girl was sitting in the window combing her golden hair . ` What brings you here , my son ? ' asked the old woman . ' I am seeking for a place , mother , ' answered Peter . ` Stay with me , then , for I need a servant , ' said the old woman . ` With pleasure , mother , ' replied he . After that Peter 's life was a very happy one . He sowed and ploughed all day , except now and then when he took his dogs and went to hunt . And whatever game he brought back the maiden with the golden hair knew how to dress it . One day the old woman had gone to the town to buy some flour , and Peter and the maiden were left alone in the house . They fell into talk , and she asked him where his home was , and how he had managed to come through the fire . Peter then told her the whole story , and of his striking the flames with the three napkins as he had been told to do . The maiden listened attentively and wondered in herself whether what he said was true . So after Peter had gone out to the fields , she crept up to his room and stole the napkins and then set off as fast as she could to the fire by a path she knew of over the hill . At the third blow she gave the flames divided , and Eisenkopf , who had been watching and hoping for a chance of this kind , ran down the opening and stood before her . At this sight the maiden was almost frightened to death , but with a great effort she recovered herself and ran home as fast as her legs would carry her , closely pursued by Eisenkopf . Panting for breath she rushed into the house and fell fainting on the floor ; but Eisenkopf entered behind her , and hid himself in the kitchen under the hearth . Not long after , Peter came in and picked up the three napkins which the maiden had dropped on the threshold . He wondered how they got there , for he knew he had left them in his room ; but what was his horror when he saw the form of the fainting girl lying where she had dropped , as still and white as if she had been dead .
He lifted her up and carried her XXXXX her bed , where she soon revived , but she did not tell Peter about Eisenkopf , who had been almost crushed to death under the hearth-stone by the body of World 's - weight .
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