When the two children stood at last on dry land with their wet shoes and clothes soaked with muddy water, they presented a pitiable sight, and Elsli asked them sympathetically whether they were far from home, and where they lived.
The boy, who was scarcely more than six years old, evidently felt immediate confidence in Elsli.

He took her by the hand and said entreatingly:-- "Come with us and tell mother about it!" And as he spoke he looked ruefully at his shoes and at his sister's gown, on which the mud was rapidly drying, and which looked as if it were made of pasteboard.

The little girl, not more than four years old, taking Elsli's other hand, said softly, "Do come with us." It was plain that they wanted some friendly intercession with their mother, and Elsli felt sure that such small children could not have wandered far from home; so she held tight the clasping hands and let them lead her.
The boy became at once very confidential, and entered on the family history.

His mother was ill, and his grandfather could not go out into the sun unless she helped him.

The little girl's name was Lenchen, and his own was Lucas, and the other boys were Tolf and Heini, and were not much bigger than he.