"What are you going to do with me," asked the goat quite meekly, getting up and coming to her.
"I don't know just yet, but you can't stay here any longer. I'll try to find a good home for you somewheres."
Then she fastened a stout twine, that the pigs had given her, about the goat's neck, and led him forth.
The animals in the village had heard from the pigs how Ellen had gone to try to get the old goat to go away, and they were all standing at their doors watching.
They had expected to see Ellen and the gander come running from the cave with the old goat butting them.
How surprised they were to see their enemy come out trotting meekly at Ellen's heels, following wherever she chose to lead it. They all murmured together of their surprise but they were still too much afraid of the goat to shout or show the delight they felt.
Ellen nodded shyly to the animals as she walked down the street.
When she reached the pigs' house they were all watching for her. Middling ran out and pushed something into her hand. "It's a present for you," he whispered. Then he ran back to join the others, but he was so glad the goat was going that he could not help jumping up into the air and squeaking as he ran.