said she . The butchers answered that they must see the woman first , and they all returned together . Then the butchers took the woman and told her they must kill her . ` But why ? ' she asked . ` Because , ' they said , ` it is always our custom that when persons are ill and complain of their head they should be killed at once . It is a much better way than leaving them to die a natural death . ' ` Very well , ' replied the woman . ` But leave , I pray you , my lungs and my liver untouched , till my son comes back . Then give both to him . ' But the men took them out at once , and gave them to the daughter-in-law , saying : ` Put away these things till your husband returns . ' And the daughter-in-law took them , and hid them in a secret place . When the old woman 's daughter , who had been in the woods , heard that her mother had been killed while she was out , she was filled with fright , and ran away as fast as she could . At last she reached a lonely spot far from the town , where she thought she was safe , and sat down on a stone , and wept bitterly . As she was sitting , sobbing , a man passed by . ` What is the matter , little girl ? Answer me ! I will be your friend . ' ` Ah , sir , they have killed my mother ; my brother is far away , and I have nobody . ' ` Will you come with me ? '
asked the XXXXX .
brother death friend lungs man mother nobody sir town woman