was to choose the one he liked best; but of the three sisters the
youngest loved him best.

But Halvor went about and was so strange and so mournful
and quiet that the Princesses asked what it was that he longed for,
and if he did not like to be with them. He said that he did like to
be with them, for they had enough to live on, and he was very
comfortable there; but he longed to go home, for his father and mother
were alive, and he had a great desire to see them again.

They thought that this might easily be done.

`You shall go and return in perfect safety if you will follow our
advice,' said the Princesses.

So he said that he would do nothing that they did not wish.

Then they dressed him so splendidly that he was like a King's
son; and they put a ring on his finger, and it was one which would
enable him to go there and back again by wishing, but they told
him that he must not throw it away, or name their names; for if he
did, all his magnificence would be at an end, and then he would never
see them more.

`If I were but at home again, or if home were but here!' said
Halvor, and no sooner had he wished this than it was granted.
Halvor was standing outside his father and mother's cottage before
he knew what he was about. The darkness of night was coming
on, and when the father and mother saw such a splendid and stately
stranger walk in, they were so startled that they both began to bow