A shudder ran through her from head to foot when she found that the thread was actually taking her into the hole out of which the stream ran.

It ran out babbling joyously, but she had to go in.
She did not hesitate.

Right into the hole she went, which was high enough to let her walk without stooping.

For a little way there was a brown glimmer, but at the first turn it all but ceased, and before she had gone many paces she was in total darkness.

Then she began to be frightened indeed.