When I was so high, my mother told me a great many things, such queer things! About a man, who wanted treasures, and before whom mountains opened at a word he knew.

Of course it's for such a word your father is seeking." "I don't know," replied the little girl.

"But the word out of which God made the whole earth and sky and all the stars must have been a very great one." Ulrich nodded, then raising his eyes boldly, exclaimed: "Ah, if he should find it, and would not keep it to himself, but let you tell me! I should know what I wanted." Ruth looked at him enquiringly, but he cried laughingly: "I shan't tell.
But what would you ask ?" "I?
I should ask to have my mother able to speak again like other people.

But you would wish...." "You can't know what I would wish." "Yes, yes.

You would bring your mother back home again." "No, I wasn't thinking of that," replied Ulrich, flushing scarlet and fixing his eyes on the ground.
"What, then?
Tell me; I won't repeat it." "I should like to be one of the count's squires, and always ride with him when he goes hunting." "Oh!" cried Ruth.