This they did not like at all ; so after much deliberation they decided to get married . There were , unfortunately , no young girls to be found in the place where they lived ; but the elder brothers agreed to go out into the world and seek for brides , promising to bring back a very pretty wife for the youngest also if he would meanwhile stay at home and take care of the house . He consented willingly , and the six young men set off in good spirits . On their way they came to a small cottage standing quite by itself in a wood ; and before the door stood an old , old man , who accosted the brothers saying , ` Hullo , you young fellows ! Whither away so fast and cheerily ? ' ` We are going to find bonny brides for ourselves , and one for our youngest brother at home , ' they replied . ` Oh ! dear youths , ' said the old man , ' I am terribly lonely here ; pray bring a bride for me also ; only remember , she must be young and pretty . ' ` What does a shrivelled old grey thing like that want with a pretty young bride ? ' thought the brothers , and went on their way . Presently they came to a town where were seven sisters , as young and as lovely as anyone could wish . Each brother chose one , and the youngest they kept for their brother at home . Then the whole party set out on the return journey , and again their path led through the wood and past the old man 's cottage . There he stood before the door , and cried : ` Oh ! you fine fellows , what a charming bride you have brought me ! ' ` She is not for you , said the young men . ` She is for our youngest brother , as we promised . ' ` What ! ' said the old man , ` promised ! I 'll make you eat your promises ! '
And XXXXX that he took his magic wand , and , murmuring a charm , he touched both brothers and brides , and immediately they were turned into grey stones .
as before by for in into on through to with