Thus spoke the Glassmanikin, and bade them farewell.
The three praised and blessed him, and set out for home together.
The grand house which had belonged to Peter in his days of splendour was no longer there; it had been struck by lightning and had been burnt to the ground with all its treasures; but the cottage which had been his father's home was not far distant; thither they went their way, quite unmoved by their heavy loss.
But what a surprise was in store for them when they reached the cottage. It had been changed into a fine farmhouse, and everything within, though simple, was good and clean.
"The good Glassmanikin has done all this!" cried Peter.
"How lovely!" exclaimed Elspeth. "I shall feel much more at home here than in that big house with all those servants."
Thenceforth Peter Munk became a hard-working and noble man. He was content with his lot, and worked at his trade without murmuring; and thus it came that by his own efforts he made money, and earned the love and respect of all in the forest. He never spoke another harsh word to his wife Elspeth, he honoured his mother, and relieved all the poor who knocked at his door.
One year after, when his wife bore him a beautiful boy, Peter set out for the Pine-grove and repeated the old rhyme. But no Glassmanikin showed himself.
"Master Guardian!" he shouted. "Do listen to me! I don't want anything, but have come to ask you to be godfather to my little son."
But there was no answer; nothing but a light breath of wind which rustled through the pines, causing a few pinecones to fall at his feet.