s. The maiden resisted his words
for some time, but at last she went with him.

In the forest they met a woodcutter, who told them that in the palace,
as well as in all the land, there had been great sorrow over the loss
of the prince, and many years had now passed away during which they had
found no traces of him. So, by the help of the magic ball, the maiden
managed that he should put on the same clothes that he had been wearing
at the time he had vanished, so that his father might know him more
quickly. She herself stayed behind in a peasant's hut, so that father
and son might meet alone.

But the father was no longer there, for the loss of his son had killed
him; and on his deathbed he confessed to his people how he had contrived
that the old wizard should carry away a peasant's child instead of the
prince, wherefore this punishment had fallen upon him.

The prince wept bitterly when he heard this news, for he had loved his
father well, and for three days he ate and drank nothing. But on the
fourth day he stood in the presence of his people as their new king,
and, calling his councillors, he told them all the strange things that
had befallen him, and how the maiden had borne him safe through all.

And the councillors cried with one voice, 'Let her be your wife, and our
liege lady.'

And that is the end of the story.

(Ehstnische Marchen.)

THE CHILD WHO CAME FROM AN EGG

Once upon a time there lived a queen whose heart was sore because she
had no children. She was sad enough when her husband was at home with
her, but when he was away she would see nobody, but sat and wept all day
long.

Now it happened that a war broke out with the king of a neighbouring
country, and the queen was left in the palace alone.

She was so unhappy that she felt as if the walls would stifle her, so
she wandered out into the garden, and threw herself down on a grassy
bank, under the shade of a lime tree. She had been there for some time,
when a rustle among the leaves caused her to look up, and she saw an old
woman limping on her crutches towards the stream that flowed through the
grounds.

When she had quenched her thirst, she came straight up to the queen, and
said to her: 'Do not take it evil, noble lady, that I dare to speak to
you, and do not be afraid of me, for it may be that I shall bring you
good luck.'

The queen looked at her doubtfully, and answered: 'You do not seem as if
you had been very lucky yourself,