When the voice ceased, she answered:
"I am outcast and forsaken;
Yet unstained by crime am I:
Be you rich, or be you poor;
For this night here let me lie!"
Once more there was a rustle in the branches; the door opened, and there came into the room—a bear!
The girl started up, very frightened; but the bear only said:
"Good evening, pretty maiden!"
"Good evening to you, whoever you are," she replied, somewhat reassured.
"How did you come here?" he asked. "Was it of your own free will, or by compulsion?"
The maiden told him all, weeping; but the bear sat down beside her, and stroking her face with his paw, replied:
"Do not cry, pretty one; you shall be happy yet. But in the meantime you must do just what I tell you. Do you see that flax? You must spin it into thread; of that thread you must weave cloth, and of that cloth you must make me a shirt. I shall come here to-morrow at this same time, and if the shirt is ready I will reward you. Good-bye!"
So saying the bear made her a parting bow, and went out. At first the girl began to cry, and said to herself: