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The Devoted Friend. and I will start off at once. But you must lend me your lantern, as the night is so dark that I am afraid I might fall into the ditch.'

I am very sorry,' answered the Miller, 'but it is my new lantern, and it would be a great loss to me if anything happened to it.'

Well, never mind, I will do without it,' cried little Hans, and he took down his great fur coat, and his warm scarlet cap, and tied a muffler round his throat, and started off.

"What a dreadful storm it was! The night was so black that little Hans could hardly see, and the wind was so strong that he could scarcely stand. However, he was very courageous, and after he had been walking about three hours, he arrived at the Doctor's house, and knocked at the door.

Who is there?' cried the Doctor, putting his head out of his bedroom window.

Little Hans, Doctor.'

What do you want, little Hans?' 81