So the boy sat down , and ate some food which she gave him in a bowl . It was quite different from anything he had tasted before , and he thought it was delicious . When he had eaten up every bit , the witch asked him if he had ever fasted . ` No , ' replied the boy , ` at least I have been obliged to sometimes , but never if there was any food to be had . ' ` You will have to fast if you want the spirits to make you strong and wise , and the sooner you begin the better . ' ` Very well , ' said the boy , ` what do I do first ? ' ` Lie down on those buffalo skins by the door of the hut , ' answered she ; and the boy lay down , and the squirrels and little bears and the birds came and talked to him . At the end of ten days the old woman came to him with a bowl of the same food that he had eaten before . ` Get up , my grandson , you have fasted long enough . Have the good spirits visited you , and granted you the strength and wisdom that you desire ? ' ` Some of them have come , and have given me a portion of both , ' answered the boy , ` but many have stayed away from me . ' ` Then , ' said she , ` you must fast ten days more . ' So the boy lay down again on the buffalo skins , and fasted for ten days , and at the end of that time he turned his face to the wall , and fasted for twenty days longer . At length the witch called to him , and said : ` Come and eat something , my grandson . ' At the sound of her voice the boy got up and ate the food she gave him . When he had finished every scrap she spoke as before : ` Tell me , my grandson , have not the good spirits visited you all these many days that you have fasted ? ' ` Not all , grandmother , ' answered he ; ` there are still some who keep away from me and say that I have not fasted long enough . ' ` Then you must fast again , ' replied the old woman , ` and go on fasting till you receive the gifts of all the good spirits . Not one must be missing . ' The boy said nothing , but lay down for the third time on the buffalo skins , and fasted for twenty days more .
And XXXXX the end of that time the witch thought he was dead , his face was so white and his body so still .
So at by from in of on that to with