` What a pity , ' she would often say to Elsa , ` that you have grown so big , you can not play with me any more . ' Nine years slipped away in this manner , when one day the lady called Elsa into her room . Elsa was surprised at the summons , for it was unusual , and her heart sank , for she feared some evil threatened her . As she crossed the threshold , she saw that the lady 's cheeks were flushed , and her eyes full of tears , which she dried hastily , as if she would conceal them from the girl . ` Dearest child , ' she began , ` the time has come when we must part . ' ` Part ? ' cried Elsa , burying her head in the lady 's lap . ` No , dear lady , that can never be till death parts us . You once opened your arms to me ; you can not thrust me away now . ' ` Ah , be quiet , child , ' replied the lady ; ` you do not know what I would do to make you happy . Now you are a woman , and I have no right to keep you here . You must return to the world of men , where joy awaits you . ' ` Dear lady , ' entreated Elsa again . ` Do not , I beseech you , send me from you . I want no other happiness but to live and die beside you . Make me your waiting maid , or set me to any work you choose , but do not cast me forth into the world . It would have been better if you had left me with my stepmother , than first to have brought me to heaven and then send me back to a worse place . ' ` Do not talk like that , dear child , ' replied the lady ; ` you do not know all that must be done to secure your happiness , however much it costs me . But it has to be . You are only a common mortal , who will have to die one day , and you can not stay here any longer .
Though we have the bodies of men , we are not men XXXXX all , though it is not easy for you to understand why .
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