but there after a while, halvor went about, and was so strange and dull and silent. then the princesses asked him what he lacked, and if he didn't like to live with them any longer? yes, he did, for they had enough and to spare, and he was well off in every way, but still somehow or other he did so long to go home, for his father and mother were alive, and them he had such a great wish to see.