626ページ中504ページ

About a month afterwards he went upstairs into a lumber-room to

look for some old iron, that he might sell it and raise a little

money; and there, instead of his iron, he saw a large pile of

gold lying on the floor. At the sight of this he was overjoyed,

and forgetting all about his son, went into trade again, and

became a richer merchant than before.

Meantime little Heinel grew up, and as the end of the twelve

years drew near the merchant began to call to mind his bond, and

became very sad and thoughtful; so that care and sorrow were

written upon his face. The boy one day asked what was the matter,

but his father would not tell for some time; at last, however, he

said that he had, without knowing it, sold him for gold to a

little, ugly-looking, black dwarf, and that the twelve years were

coming round when he must keep his word. Then Heinel said,

'Father, give yourself very little trouble about that; I shall be

too much for the little man.'