‘Thanks, Maiden Bright-eye,’ said the dog.
‘Where is my brother?’
‘He is in the serpent-pit.’
‘Where is my wicked sister?’
‘She is with the noble king.’
‘Alas! alas! I am here this evening, and shall be for two evenings yet, and then I shall never come again.’
When it had said this the duck waddled off again. Several of the servant girls heard the conversation, and were greatly surprised at it, and thought that it would be worth while to catch the bird next evening and see into the matter a little more closely. They had heard it say that it would come again.
Next evening it appeared as it had said, and a great many were present to see it. It came waddling in by the drain, and went up to the dog, which was lying on the hearth-stone.
‘Good evening,’ it said.
‘Thanks, Maiden Bright-eye,’ said the dog.