“For what?” asked the shoemaker.
“Because I wish to dance,” said the spectre.
“Dance away, then!” said the shoemaker.
When the child had danced some time it disappeared, but returned soon and said:
“I will dance again, and I’ll dance your light out for you.”
“No,” said the shoemaker, “let the light alone. But who are you that you are here in this manner?”
“I live under the lower stone of the steps to the porch.”
“Who put you there?” asked the shoemaker.
“Watch when it dawns, and you will see my mother coming, wearing a red cap. But help me out of this, and I’ll never dance again.”
This the shoemaker promised to do, and the spectre vanished.