Stay here with me and be my friend , and we will play delightful games together , and every day we will go and gather strawberries . Nobody will dare to beat you if I tell them not . Come , let us go to my mother ' ; and taking Elsa 's hand she led her deeper into the wood , the little black dog jumping up beside them and barking with pleasure . Oh ! what wonders and splendours unfolded themselves before Elsa 's astonished eyes ! She thought she really must be in Heaven . Fruit trees and bushes loaded with fruit stood before them , while birds gayer than the brightest butterfly sat in their branches and filled the air with their song . And the birds were not shy , but let the girls take them in their hands , and stroke their gold and silver feathers . In the centre of the garden was the dwelling-house , shining with glass and precious stones , and in the doorway sat a woman in rich garments , who turned to Elsa 's companion and asked : ` What sort of a guest are you bringing to me ? ' ' I found her alone in the wood , ' replied her daughter , ` and brought her back with me for a companion . You will let her stay ? ' The mother laughed , but said nothing , only she looked Elsa up and down sharply . Then she told the girl to come near , and stroked her cheeks and spoke kindly to her , asking if her parents were alive , and if she really would like to stay with them . Elsa stooped and kissed her hand , then , kneeling down , buried her face in the woman 's lap , and sobbed out : ` My mother has lain for many years under the ground . My father is still alive , but I am nothing to him , and my stepmother beats me all the day long . I can do nothing right , so let me , I pray you , stay with you . I will look after the flocks or do any work you tell me ; I will obey your lightest word ; only do not , I entreat you , send me back to her . She will half kill me for not having come back with the other children . ' And the woman smiled and answered , ` Well , we will see what we can do with you , ' and , rising , went into the house . Then the daughter said to Elsa , ` Fear nothing , my mother will be your friend .
I saw by the way she looked that she would grant your request when she had thought over it , ' and , telling Elsa XXXXX wait , she entered the house to seek her mother .
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