so she gave the apple another push , and it rolled into a meadow in the middle of the garden , and there lay two little children , asleep , with the hot sun beating straight down upon them . the maiden felt sorry for the children , and she took her apron and laid it over them to protect them from [ the sun , and only kept the apples she could put in her little basket . but she could not stay here either , so again she touched the apple , and it rolled on and before she knew it the girl found herself by the sea - shore . there , under a shady tree lay the prince asleep ; while beside him sat the sea - queen . both rose when the maiden drew near , and the prince looked at her with alarm and tenderness in his flashing eyes . then he leaped into the sea , and the white foam closed over him . but the sea - queen was enraged and seized the girl , who thought that her last moment had struck , and begged for a merciful death . the sea - queen looked at her , and asked her who had given her permission to pass beyond the apple - tree .
took her apron and laid it over them to protect them from the sun .
what did the maiden do when she saw the two little children ?
what did the maiden do when she saw the two little children ?