Page:Lange - The Blue Fairy Book.djvu/314

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HERE was once upon a time a widow who had two daughters. The eldest was so much like her in the face and humour that whoever looked upon the daughter saw the mother. They were both so disagreeable and so proud that there was no living with them.

The youngest, who was the very picture of her father for courtesy and sweetness of temper, was withal one of the most beautiful girls ever seen. As people naturally love their own likeness, this mother even doted on her eldest daughter, and at the same time had a horrible aversion for the youngest—she made her eat in the kitchen and work continually.

Among other things, this poor child was forced twice a day to draw water above a mile and a-half off the house, and bring home a pitcher full of it. One day, as she was at this fountain, there came to her a poor woman, who begged of her to let her drink.

‘Oh! ay, with all my heart, Goody, said this pretty little girl; and rinsing immediately the pitcher, she took up some water from the clearest place of the fountain, and gave it to her, holding up the pitcher all the while, that she might drink the easier.

The good woman having drunk, said to her:

‘You are so very pretty, my dear, so good and so mannerly, that I cannot help giving you a gift.’ For this was a fairy, who had taken the form of a poor country-woman, to see how far the civility and good manners of this pretty girl would go. ‘I will give you for gift,’ continued the Fairy, ‘that, at every word you speak, there shall come out of your mouth either a flower or a jewel.’

When this pretty girl came home her mother scolded at her for staying so long at the fountain.

‘I beg your pardon, mamma,’ said the poor girl, ‘for not making more haste.’

And in speaking these words there came out of her mouth two roses, two pearls, and two diamonds.