The figure got up , looked at them kindly , but said nothing , and vanished into the wood . And when they looked round about them they became aware that they had slept quite close to a precipice , over which they would certainly have fallen had they gone on a few steps further in the darkness . And when they told their mother of their adventure , she said what they had seen must have been the angel that guards good children . Snow-white and Rose-red kept their mother 's cottage so beautifully clean and neat that it was a pleasure to go into it . In summer Rose-red looked after the house , and every morning before her mother awoke she placed a bunch of flowers before the bed , from each tree a rose . In winter Snow-white lit the fire and put on the kettle , which was made of brass , but so beautifully polished that it shone like gold . In the evening when the snowflakes fell their mother said : `` Snow-white , go and close the shutters , '' and they drew round the fire , while the mother put on her spectacles and read aloud from a big book and the two girls listened and sat and span . Beside them on the ground lay a little lamb , and behind them perched a little white dove with its head tucked under its wings . One evening as they sat thus cosily together someone knocked at the door as though he desired admittance . The mother said : `` Rose-red , open the door quickly ; it must be some traveler seeking shelter . '' Rose-red hastened to unbar the door , and thought she saw a poor man standing in the darkness outside ; but it was no such thing , only a bear , who poked his thick black head through the door . Rose-red screamed aloud and sprang back in terror , the lamb began to bleat , the dove flapped its wings , and Snow-white ran and hid behind her mother 's bed . But the bear began to speak , and said : `` Do n't be afraid : I wo n't hurt you . I am half frozen , and only wish to warm myself a little . '' `` My poor bear , '' said the mother , `` lie down by the fire , only take care you do n't burn your fur . '' Then she called out : `` Snow-white and Rose-red , come out ; the bear will do you no harm ; he is a good , honest creature . '' So they both came out of their hiding-places , and gradually the lamb and dove drew near too , and they all forgot their fear . The bear asked the children to beat the snow a little out of his fur , and they fetched a brush and scrubbed him till he was dry . Then the beast stretched himself in front of the fire , and growled quite happily and comfortably . The children soon grew quite at their ease with him , and led their helpless guest a fearful life .
They tugged his fur with their hands , put their small feet on his back , and rolled him about here and there , or took a hazel wand and beat him XXXXX it ; and if he growled they only laughed .
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