“The heart of Fair Brother is breaking,” replied Little Sister. “It is because of that that I am weeping.” “Why is his heart breaking?” inquired the other. “I do not know,” answered Little Sister. “Ever since last autumn fell it has been so. Always, before, he has been happy; he has no reason not to be, only he is lame.” She had come close to the seated figure; and looking, she saw a woman with a very white skin, in a robe and hood of deep grey. Grey eyes looked back at her with just a soft touch in them of the green that comes with the young leaves of spring. “You are beautiful,” said Little Sister, drawing in her breath. “Yes, I am beautiful,” answered the other. “Why is Fair Brother lame? Has he no feet?” “Oh, beautiful feet!” said Little Sister. “But they are like still water; they cannot run.” “If you want him to run,” said the other, “I can tell you what to do. What will you give me in exchange?” “Whatever you like to ask,” answered Little Sister; “but I am poor.” “You have beautiful hair,” said the woman; “will you let that go?” Little Sister stooped down her head, and let the other cut off’ her hair. The wind went out of it with a sigh as it fell into the grey woman’s lap. She hid it away under her robe, and said, “Listen, Little Sister, and I will tell you! To-night is the new moon. If you can hold your tongue till the moon is full, the feet of Fair Brother shall run like a stream from the hills, dancing from rock to rock.” “Only tell me what I must do!” said Little Sister. “You see this birch-tree, with its silver skin?” said the woman. “Cut off two strips of it and weave them into shoes for Fair Brother. And when they are finished by the full moon, if you have not spoken, you have but to put them upon Fair Brother’s feet, and they will outrun yours.” So Little Sister, as the other had told her, cut off two strips from the bark of the birch-tree, and ran home as fast as she could to tell her brother of the happiness which, with only a little waiting, was in store for them. But as she came near home, over the low roof she saw the new moon hanging like a white feather in the air; and, closing her lips, she went in and kissed Fair Brother silently. He said, “Little Sister, loose out your hair over me, and let me feel the sweet airs; and tell me how the earth sounds, for my heart is sick with sorrow and longing.” She took his hand and laid it upon her heart that he might feel its happy beating, but said no word. Then she sat down at his feet and began to work at the shoes. All the birch-bark she cut into long strips fit for weaving, doing everything as the grey woman had told her. Fair Brother fretted at her silence, and cried, calling her cruel; but she only kissed his feet, and went on working the faster. And the white birch shoes grew under her hands; and every night she watched and saw the moon growing round.