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Sorry as he was to see his wish so fulfilled, he did not know how

what was done could be undone, and comforted himself as well as

he could for the loss of his seven sons with his dear little

daughter, who soon became stronger and every day more beautiful.

For a long time she did not know that she had ever had any

brothers; for her father and mother took care not to speak of

them before her: but one day by chance she heard the people about

her speak of them. 'Yes,' said they, 'she is beautiful indeed,

but still 'tis a pity that her brothers should have been lost for

her sake.' Then she was much grieved, and went to her father and

mother, and asked if she had any brothers, and what had become of

them. So they dared no longer hide the truth from her, but said

it was the will of Heaven, and that her birth was only the

innocent cause of it; but the little girl mourned sadly about it

every day, and thought herself bound to do all she could to bring

her brothers back; and she had neither rest nor ease, till at

length one day she stole away, and set out into the wide world to

find her brothers, wherever they might be, and free them,

whatever it might cost her.