But the dark lad did not tell him of the name that was written underneath his arm . On the following morning the fisher 's son again went to the church , determined that he would not go to sleep , whatever happened . But in his hurry to enter he touched with his hand the spike of hurt , and sank down where he stood , wrapped in slumber . A second time the air was filled with music , and the lady came in , stepping softly , but though she laid his head on her knee , and combed his hair with a golden comb , his eyes opened not . Then she burst into tears , and placing a beautifully wrought box in his pocket she went her way . The next day the same thing befell the fisher 's son , and this time the lady wept more bitterly than before , for she said it was the last chance , and she would never be allowed to come any more , for home she must go . As soon as the lady had departed the fisher 's son awoke , and the dark lad told him of her visit , and how he would never see her as long as he lived . At this the fisher 's son felt the cold creeping up to his heart , yet he knew the fault had not been his that sleep had overtaken him . ' I will search the whole world through till I find her , ' cried he , and the dark lad laughed as he heard him . But the fisher 's son took no heed , and off he went , following the sun day after day , till his shoes were in holes and his feet were sore from the journey . Nought did he see but the birds that made their nests in the trees , not so much as a goat or a rabbit . On and on and on he went , till suddenly he came upon a little house , with a woman standing outside it . ` All hail , fisher 's son ! ' said she . ' I know what you are seeking ; enter in and rest and eat , and to-morrow I will give you what help I can , and send you on your way . ' Gladly did Ian the fisher 's son accept her offer , and all that day he rested , and the woman gave him ointment to put on his feet , which healed his sores . At daybreak he got up , ready to be gone , and the woman bade him farewell , saying : ' I have a sister who dwells on the road which you must travel . It is a long road , and it would take you a year and a day to reach it , but put on these old brown shoes with holes all over them , and you will be there before you know it . Then shake them off , and turn their toes to the known , and their heels to the unknown , and they will come home of themselves . ' The fisher 's son did as the woman told him , and everything happened just as she had said .
But at parting the second sister said to him , as she gave him another pair of shoes : ` Go to my third sister , for she has a son who is keeper of the birds XXXXX the air , and sends them to sleep when night comes .
At after before for into of on over that though