when he reached home, his little boy was so delighted that he held by a bench, tottered up to him and seized him fast by the legs. the father was shocked, for he remembered his promise, and now knew what he had pledged himself to do; as however, he still found no money in his chest, he thought the dwarf had only been jesting. a month afterwards he went up to the garret, intending to gather together some old tin and to sell it, and saw a great heap of money lying. then he was happy again, made purchases, became a greater merchant than before, and felt that this world was well-governed. in the meantime the boy grew tall, and at the same time sharp and clever. but the nearer the twelfth year approached the more anxious grew the merchant, so that his distress might be seen in his face. one day his son asked what ailed him, but the father would not say. the boy, however, persisted so long, that at last he told him that without being aware of what he was doing, he had promised him to a black dwarf, and had received much money for doing so. he said likewise that he had set his hand and seal to this, and that now when twelve years had gone by he would have to give him up.