“How now, little brother!” said the fox, when he saw Ludwig coming toward him through the trees; “is it not well with you?”

“Alas, my sister is not satisfied with the food always in the cupboard.”

“What would she, little brother?”

“She would have a beautiful doll all dressed in shining silk.”

“Go, little brother, it shall be as she wishes,” said the fox.

Now Marleen was quite happy for a few days; but soon she grew tired of the doll and again refused to play.  “I, too, must have a fine silk dress to wear,” said she.  “Go to the fox, brother, and get it for me.”

“Be satisfied, dear sister,” said Ludwig.  “We are quite happy as we are.  Your dress is warm and fine enough.”

“No, no, I will not be satisfied!” said Marleen.  “You must do as I tell you;” and she gave her brother no peace until he went again into the forest.

“How now, little brother!” said the fox, when he saw Ludwig coming toward him through the trees; “is it not well with you?”

“Alas, my sister is not satisfied with the doll.”

“What would she, little brother?”

“She would have for herself a dress of shining silk.”

“Go, little brother, it shall be as she wishes,” said the fox.

But only for a time was Marleen content with the beautiful dress.  “I will stay no longer in this smoky old hut,” said she.  “Go, brother, and ask the fox for a fine house to live in.  He can give us one if he will.”

“Be satisfied, dear sister,” said Ludwig.  “We are quite happy as we are.”

“No, no, I will not be satisfied!” said Marleen, “You must do as I tell you;” and she gave her brother no peace until he went again into the forest.

“How now, little brother!” said the fox, when he saw Ludwig coming toward him through the trees; “is it not well with you?”

“Alas, my sister is not satisfied with the dress,” said Ludwig.

“What would she, little brother?”

“A fine house in place of our poor old hut.”

“Go, little brother, it shall be as she wishes,” said the fox.

Soon Marleen wearied also of the stately house in which they now lived.  “I am tired to death of this old doll and this empty house and this poor dress,” she said.  “I must have something to amuse me.  Go, brother, to the fox and tell him that I must have one of every kind of toy in the whole world, and quickly, too.”

“Be satisfied, dear sister,” said Ludwig.  “We are quite happy as we are.”

“No, no, I will not be satisfied!” said Marleen.  “You must do as I tell you;” and she gave her brother no peace until he went again into the forest.

“How now, little brother!” said the fox when he saw Ludwig coming toward him through the trees; “is it not well with you?”

“Alas, my sister is not satisfied with the house.”

“What would she, little brother?”