“Look straight ahead, master, and tell me what you see.”
Helli shaded his eyes and looked.
“Far, far ahead I see what looks like a copper column.”
“Good!” the Grouse said. “That is the home of my oldest sister. She will be overjoyed to see us and when she hears how you have spared my life she will want to make you a present and will offer you various things. Take my advice and tell her that the only thing you want is her little locked box the key to which is lost. If she won’t give you that, accept nothing.”
The Grouse’s oldest sister received them most hospitably and when she had heard their story at once offered Helli anything he might like from among her treasures.
“Then give me your little locked box the key to which is lost,” Helli said.
The oldest sister shook her head.
“My little locked box! Who told you about that? I’m sorry, but I cannot give you that! Take anything else!”
“No,” Helli said, “that or nothing!”
When the oldest sister could not be prevailed upon to give away her little locked box, the Grouse had Helli mount his back once more and off they flew.