Erick sang a line, and then another, and still a bit, then he could not go further.  Kaetheli, surprised, shook her head.  “I never have heard that song, but perhaps we sing it, only a little differently.  I am sure I shall find it.  Tell me what it is about, about people or animals?”

“At the beginning about flowers, green trees, you know, with those beautiful branches and—­”

“Stop, I know all,” Kaetheli interrupted him; “now I am going to sing it to you.”  And with a firm voice and full tones Kaetheli began seriously: 

     “’Three roses in the garden,
     Three birds are in the wood,
     In summer it is lovely
     In winter it is good.’

“Is that it?” she now asked, full of confidence that it must be it.  But Erick shook his head decidedly, and said: 

“No, no, that is not my song, there is no similarity between it and what you sing.”

Kaetheli was much surprised.  “But the flowers and the trees are in the song,” she said, “or perhaps, Erick, you have forgotten the song and do not know how it goes?”

“Indeed, indeed I know,” the latter assured her.  “You see, first there is a great feast, where they all come and throw down many flowers and wreaths because a great lord is coming and—­”

“Perhaps a count,” Kaetheli interposed.

“Perhaps so.”

“Oh! now I know it!  If you only had spoke of the count right away; now listen!” And again Kaetheli began with full tones: 

     “’I stood on a high mountain
     And looked into a vale,
     A little ship came swimming
     Three counts did hoist the sail.’

“Well, Erick?”

But Erick shook his head even more and said sadly:  “Not at all, not a bit like it!  Perhaps the song is lost and no one knows anything about it.”

“I know something else to help you,” said helpful Kaetheli, whose tender heart was filled with compassion.  “To be sure, it is a little late, but I can still do it.”

Then she ran away, and Erick looked after her with great surprise, and wondered where she was going to look for the song.

Running all the way, Kaetheli had reached the bottom of the hill in a quarter of an hour.  On the garden wall stood Ritz.  “Get Sally, Ritz, but be quick,” Kaetheli called up to him.  That just suited Ritz, for he hoped that something particular was in store, and before Kaetheli reached the wall, Sally was brought out.

Breathlessly Kaetheli told her what she wanted and now expected, since Sally knew so many songs that she would bring out the desired one on the spot.  But it was not accomplished so quickly and there followed a long explanation, for Sally must know all that was to be found in the song, whether it was joyous or sad, and then she began to guess and to try whether it could be this one or that, but none seemed to fit according to the descriptions, and suddenly Kaetheli jumped up and exclaimed:  “The evening bells are ringing; I have to go home.  I am afraid that father will be at supper before me and then he’ll scold.  I thought you would know it much quicker, Sally, such a simple song!  Think it over and bring it to me at school, but sure, for else Erick will be sad again.  Good night!”