“Follow the old woman when she comes at night to the Wood. Watch when she lifts the stone, then follow her through the entrance. Mind the stairs. Ten steep stairs. A false step there would throw you down and spoil everything. Once at the bottom, keep close behind your old granny,—it is well for us she is a little deaf,—until she stops at an iron door. Then look narrowly to see from whence she takes the heavy brass key. No more can be done then. Make your way home as quickly as you may, lest she turn and discover you. Does little Rosebud understand thus far?”
“Yes,” said Rosebud, “I am to learn where the great brass key is kept.”
“Exactly,” said Bertha. “Now listen again. When next the old woman goes to the town, you must hasten to the Wood, remove the flat stone, and enter the passage, find your way through, unlock the iron door,—you will know where the key is kept,—then keep on still farther until you come to a second iron door, then call, ‘Bertha!’ and I will answer. Then, Rosebud, I and my little maid will be free, and shall fly far from here!”
“But where?” asked Rosebud. “Will you not be discovered? and will not your bad uncle punish you?”
“Never fear that!” cried Bertha. “Are there no boats? We can manage an oar.
‘Softly, softly dips the oar,
Farther, farther from the shore
We go, we go, we cheerily go!
O the sea, the rippling sea!
The bright, the glancing waves for me!