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“CREEPING FORTH FROM HER TREE, GREATLY TO LAUFEY’S SURPRISE.”
Oh! what was she to do? Brunhild had never taught Laufey anything, but just let her grow up as she would, so how could she, who had never had a needle in her hand, make up or embroider these beautiful stuffs? And if the prince discovered how ignorant she was, would he not send her away with scorn and laughter, or perhaps even have her put to death for her deception?
And the poor girl sobbed and cried as if her heart would break.
Now, as has already been mentioned, Siegfrid and Lineik were inside the two beautiful trees. They could therefore see all that passed in the prince’s chamber, and when they heard poor Laufey’s lamentations, Siegfrid was so touched at sight of the girl’s tears that he said to his sister—
“Sister Lineik,
Laufey weeps;
Oh, have pity on her,
And assist her with her task.”
Then Lineik replied—