She ran back home, trembling like an aspen-leaf. The old woman was standing on the threshold, and the girl was about to relate what had befallen her, but the old woman laughed kindly, and said, “I already know all.” She led her into the room and lighted a new log. She did not, however, sit down to her spinning again, but fetched a broom and began to sweep and scour, “All must be clean and sweet,” she said to the girl.

“But, mother,” said the maiden, “why do you begin work at so late an hour? What do you expect?”

“Dost thou know then what time it is?” asked the old woman.

“Not yet midnight,” answered the maiden, “but already past eleven o’clock.”

“Dost thou not remember,” continued the old woman, “that it is three years today since thou camest to me? Thy time is up, we can no longer remain together.”