East of the Sun and West of the Moon (4)

East of the Sun and West of the Moon (4)

The White Bear gave her a silver bell, and told her that when she needed anything she had but to ring this bell, and what she wanted would appear.

So after she had eaten, and night was drawing near, she grew sleepy after her journey,and thought she would like to go to bed.

She rang the bell, and scarcely had she touched it before she found herself in a chamber where bed stood ready made for her, which was as pretty as anyone could wish to sleep in.

It had a pillow of silk, and curtains of silk fringed with gold, and everything that was in the room was of gold or silver ; but when she had lain down and put out the light a came and lay down beside her, and behold it was the White Bear, who cast off the form of a beast during the night. 

She never saw him, however, for he always came after she had put out her light, and went away before daylight appeared.

(4/23)