AtthedoorwayhemetMotherHilda。\"Blessus，\"shecried，startingbackandcrossingherself，andthen，seeingwhoitwas，duckedhimacourtesywithaspleasantasmileasherforbiddingface，withitslittledeep—seteyes，wasabletoputuponitself。
OldUrselaseemednearertotheboythananyoneelseaboutthecastle，exceptingitwashisfather，anditwasanewfounddelighttoOttotositbesideherandlistentoherquaintstories，sodifferentfromthemonkishtalesthathehadheardandreadatthemonastery。
Butonedayitwasataleofadifferentsortthatshetoldhim，andonethatopenedhiseyestowhathehadneverdreamedofbefore。
ThemellowsunlightfellthroughthewindowuponoldUrsela，asshesatinthewarmthwithherdistaffinherhandswhileOttolayclosetoherfeetuponabearskin，silentlythinkingoverthestrangestoryofabraveknightandafierydragonthatshehadjusttoldhim。SuddenlyUrselabrokethesilence。
\"Littleone，\"saidshe，\"thouartwondrouslylikethyowndearmother；didsteverhearhowshedied？\"