Greed is man 's worst fault . ' The years passed like the wind for Elsa , and she grew into a lovely woman , with a knowledge of many things that she would never have learned in her native village ; but Kisika was still the same young girl that she had been on the day of her first meeting with Elsa . Each morning they both worked for an hour at reading and writing , as they had always done , and Elsa was anxious to learn all she could , but Kisika much preferred childish games to anything else . If the humour seized her , she would fling aside her tasks , take her treasure box , and go off to play in the sea , where no harm ever came to her . ` What a pity , ' she would often say to Elsa , ` that you have grown so big , you can not play with me any more . ' Nine years slipped away in this manner , when one day the lady called Elsa into her room . Elsa was surprised at the summons , for it was unusual , and her heart sank , for she feared some evil threatened her . As she crossed the threshold , she saw that the lady 's cheeks were flushed , and her eyes full of tears , which she dried hastily , as if she would conceal them from the girl . ` Dearest child , ' she began , ` the time has come when we must part . ' ` Part ? ' cried Elsa , burying her head in the lady 's lap . ` No , dear lady , that can never be till death parts us . You once opened your arms to me ; you can not thrust me away now . ' ` Ah , be quiet , child , ' replied the lady ; ` you do not know what I would do to make you happy . Now you are a woman , and I have no right to keep you here . You must return to the world of men , where joy awaits you . ' ` Dear lady , ' entreated Elsa again . ` Do not , I beseech you , send me from you . I want no other happiness but to live and die beside you . Make me your waiting maid , or set me to any work you choose , but do not cast me forth into the world .
It would have been better if you had left me XXXXX my stepmother , than first to have brought me to heaven and then send me back to a worse place . '
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