"she needs nothing," said the old woman. "i give her the tears that she has wept on your account; they are precious pearls, finer than those that are found in the sea, and worth more than your whole kingdom, and i give her my little house as payment for her services." when the old woman had said that, she disappeared from their sight. the walls rattled a little, and when the king and queen looked round, the little house had changed into a splendid palace, a royal table had been spread, and the servants were running hither and thither.