" Who did ? " asked Hulda . " Not the pedlar , surely ? Tell me , my pretty bird ." But the bird only chirped a little and fluttered its golden wings , so Hulda ceased to ask it , and presently fell asleep , but the bird woke her by pecking her wrist very early , almost before sunrise , and sang : " Who dips a brown hand in the chill shaded water , The water that drips from a slimy green stone ? Who flings his red cap At the owlets that flap Their white wings in his face as he sits there alone ? " Hulda , upon hearing this , arose in great haste and dressed herself ; then she went to her father and mother , and entreated that they would come with her to the old ruin . It was now broad day , so they all three set out together . It was a very hot morning , the dust lay thick upon the road ,
