down to sleep； and laid a handkerchief over his face。
Thereupon the angel went into the chamber where the queen
sat with her son； whom she usually called Sorrowful； and
said to her； go out with your child； your husband has come。 So
she went to the place where he lay； and the handkerchief
fell from his face。 Then said she； 〃Sorrowful； pick up your
father's handkerchief； and cover his face again。〃 The child picked
it up； and put it over his face again。 The king in his sleep
heard what passed； and had pleasure in letting the handkerchief
fall once more。 But the child grew impatient； and said；
〃Dear mother； how can I cover my father's face when I have no
father in this world。 I have learnt to say the prayer … Our
Father； which art in heaven … you have told me that my father
was in heaven； and was the good God； and how can I know a wild
man like this。 He is not my father。〃 When the king heard that；
he got up； and asked who they were。 Then said
she； 〃I am your wife； and that is your son； Sorrowful〃。 And he
saw her living hands； and said； 〃My wife had silver hands。〃 She
answered； 〃The good God has caused my natural hands to grow again；〃
and the angel went into the inner room； and brought the silver
hands； and showed them to him。 Hereupon he knew for a certainty
that it was his dear wife and his dear child； and he kissed
them； and was glad； and said； 〃A heavy stone has fallen from off
my heart。〃 Then the angel of God ate with them once again； and
after that they went home to the king's aged mother。 There were
great rejoicings everywhere； and the king and queen were married
again； and lived contentedly to their happy end。