the children looked round wonderingly , and saw a little kind - looking old man , in a white coat and a red cap , limping out from among the bushes , for he was lame in his left foot ; neither lisa nor aina could utter a word , they were so filled with surprise . ' do n't be afraid , little girls , ' he said smiling kindly at them ; he could not laugh properly because his mouth was crooked . ' welcome to my kingdom ! have you slept well and eaten well and drunk well ? ' he asked . ' yes , indeed we have , ' said both the girls , ' but tell us ... ' and they wanted to ask who the old man was , but were afraid to .
his mouth was crooked .
why couldn't the old man laugh properly ?
why couldn't the old man laugh properly ?