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l to settle matters as they might, and darted off to the cottage. Entering, she found the pot boiling on the fire, and the grand, lovely lady sitting on the other side of it. "I've been watching you all day," said the lady. "You shall have something to eat by and by, but we must wait till our supper comes home." She took Tangle on her knee, and began to sing to her--such songs as made her wish she could listen to them for ever. But at length in rushed the shining fish, and snuggled down in the pot. It was followed by a youth who had outgrown his worn garments. His face was ruddy with health, and in his hand he carried a little jewel, which sparkled in the firelight. The first words the lady said were,-- "What is that in your hand, Mossy?" Now Mossy was the name his companions had given him, because he had a favourite stone covered with moss, on which he used to sit whole days reading; and they said the moss had begun to grow upon him too. Mossy held out his hand. The moment the lady saw that it was the golden key, she rose from her chair, kissed Mossy on the forehead, made him sit down on her seat, and stood before him like a servant. Mossy could not bear this, and rose at once. But the lady begged him, with tears in her beautiful eyes, to sit, and let her wait on him. "But you are a great, splendid, beautiful lady," said Mossy. "Yes, I am. But I work all day long--that is my pleasure; and you will have to leave me so soon!" "How do you know that, if you please, madam?" asked Mossy. "Because you have got the golden key." "But I don't know what it is for. I can't find the key-hole. Will you tell me what to do?" "You must look for the key-hole. That is your work. I cannot help you. I can only tell you that if you look for it you will find it." "What kind of box will it open? What is there inside?" "I do not know. I dream about it, but I know nothing." "Must I go at once?" "You may stop here to-night, and have some of my supper. But you must go in the morning. All I can do for you is to give you clothes. Here is a girl called Tangle, whom you must take with you." "That _will_ be nice," said Mossy. "No, no!" said Tangle. "I don't want to leave you, please, Grandmother." "You must go with him, Tangle. I am sorry to lose you, but it will be the best thing for you. Even the fishes, you see, have to go into the pot, and then out into the dark. If you fall in with the Old Man of the Se
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