` In the cradle yonder , and I think she is dead , ' replied the father sadly . ` Look at her once more , ' said the holy man , and as they drew near the cradle there lay the baby smiling up at them . ' I am St. James of Lizia , ' said the old man , ` and I have come to help you , for I have seen that you are a true friend . From henceforward live happily , all of you , together , and if troubles should draw near you send for me , and I will aid you to get through them . ' With these words he lifted his hand in blessing and vanished . And they obeyed him , and were happy and content , and tried to make the people of the land happy and contented too . -LSB- From Sicilianische Mahrehen Gonzenbach . -RSB- Clever Maria There was once a merchant who lived close to the royal palace , and had three daughters . They were all pretty , but Maria , the youngest , was the prettiest of the three . One day the king sent for the merchant , who was a widower , to give him directions about a journey he wished the good man to take . The merchant would rather not have gone , as he did not like leaving his daughters at home , but he could not refuse to obey the king 's commands , and with a heavy heart he returned home to say farewell to them . Before he left , he took three pots of basil , and gave one to each girl , saying , ' I am going a journey , but I leave these pots . You must let nobody into the house . When I come back , they will tell me what has happened . ' ` Nothing will have happened , ' said the girls . The father went away , and the following day the king , accompanied by two friends , paid a visit to the three girls , who were sitting at supper . When they saw who was there , Maria said , ` Let us go and get a bottle of wine from the cellar . I will carry the key , my eldest sister can take the light , while the other brings the bottle . ' But the king replied , ` Oh , do not trouble ; we are not thirsty . ' ` Very well , we will not go , ' answered the two elder girls ; but Maria merely said , ' I shall go , anyhow . '
She left the room , and went XXXXX the hall where she put out the light , and putting down the key and the bottle , ran to the house of a neighbour , and knocked at the door .
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