"But I'll not do any such thing," insisted Annie; "they're sold, and that's an end of it," then seeing that he looked really pained she added in a lower tone: "Will you believe me, Hans, when I say that there has been no mistake--that the person who bought your skates _insisted_ upon paying seven guilders for them?" "I will," he answered--and the light from his clear blue eyes seemed to settle and sparkle under Annie's lashes. Dame Brinker was delighted at the sight of so much silver, but when she learned that Hans had parted with his treasures to obtain it, she sighed, as she exclaimed: "Bless thee, child! That will be a sore loss for thee!" "Here, mother," said the boy, plunging his hands far into his pockets, "here is more--we shall be rich if we keep on!" "Aye, indeed," she answered, eagerly reaching forth her hand. Then, lowering her voice, added, "we _would_ be rich but for that Jan Kamphuisen. He was at the willow tree years ago, Hans--depend upon it!" "Indeed, it seems likely," sighed Hans. "Well, mother, we must give up the money bravely. It is certainly gone; the father has told us all he knows. Let us think no more about it." "That's easy saying, Hans. I shall try, but it's hard, and my poor man wanting so many comforts. Bless me! How girls fly about. They were here but this instant. Where did they run to?" "They slipped behind the cottage," said Hans, "like enough to hide from us. Hist! I'll catch them for you! They both can move quicker and softer than yonder rabbit, but I'll give them a good start first." "Why, there _is_ a rabbit, sure enough. Hold, Hans, the poor thing must have been in sore need to venture from its burrow this bitter weather. I'll get a few crumbs for it within." So saying, the good woman bustled into the cottage. She soon came out again, but Hans had forgotten to wait, and the rabbit after taking a cool survey of the premises had scampered off to unknown quarters. Turning the corner of the cottage, Dame Brinker came upon the children. Hans and Gretel were standing before Annie who was seated carelessly upon a stump. "That is as good as a picture!" cried Dame Brinker halting in admiration of the group. "Many a painting have I seen at the grand house at Heidelberg not a whit prettier. My two are rough chubs, Annie, but _you_ look like a fairy." "Do I?" laughed Annie, sparkling with animation. "Well then, Gretel and Hans, imagine I'm your godmother just paying you a visit. Now I'll grant you each a wish. What will you have, Master Hans?" A shade of earnestness passed over Annie's face as she looked up at him--perhaps it was because she wished from the depths of her heart that for once she could have a fairy's power. Something whispered to Hans that, for the moment, she was more than mortal. "I wish," said he, solemnly, "I could find something I was searching for last night." Gretel laughed merrily. Dame Brinker moaned, "Shame on you, Hans!" and passed wearily into the cottage.