Elsa asked what it meant , and the girl replied that it was her name . It was all so pleasant that they might have stayed there for ever had not a voice cried out to them , ` Children , it is time for you to come home ! ' So Kisika took the little box out of her pocket , with the piece of cloth lying in it , and dipped the cloth in the water , and lo ! they were standing close to a splendid house in the middle of the garden . Everything round them was dry and firm , and there was no water anywhere . The mussel shell and the fish scales were put back in the box , and the girls went in . They entered a large hall , where four and twenty richly dressed women were sitting round a table , looking as if they were about to attend a wedding . At the head of the table sat the lady of the house in a golden chair . Elsa did not know which way to look , for everything that met her eyes was more beautiful than she could have dreamed possible . But she sat down with the rest , and ate some delicious fruit , and thought she must be in heaven . The guests talked softly , but their speech was strange to Elsa , and she understood nothing of what was said . Then the hostess turned round and whispered something to a maid behind her chair , and the maid left the hall , and when she came back she brought a little old man with her , who had a beard longer than himself . He bowed low to the lady and then stood quietly near the door . ` Do you see this girl ? ' said the lady of the house , pointing to Elsa . ' I wish to adopt her for my daughter . Make me a copy of her , which we can send to her native village instead of herself . ' The old man looked Elsa all up and down , as if he was taking her measure , bowed again to the lady , and left the hall . After dinner the lady said kindly to Elsa , ` Kisika has begged me to let you stay with her , and you have told her you would like to live here . Is that so ? '
XXXXX these words Elsa fell on her knees , and kissed the lady 's hands and feet in gratitude for her escape from her cruel stepmother ; but her hostess raised her from the ground and patted her head , saying , ` All will go well as long as you are a good , obedient child , and I will take care of you and see that you want for nothing till you are grown up and can look after yourself .
After At behind for in near of than that with