Page:Lange - The Blue Fairy Book.djvu/315

 ‘What is it I see there?’ said her mother, quite astonished. ‘I think I see pearls and diamonds come out of the girl’s mouth! How happens this, child?’

This was the first time she ever called her child.

The poor creature told her frankly all the matter, not without dropping out infinite numbers of diamonds.



‘In good faith,’ cried the mother, ‘I must send my child thither. Come hither, Fanny; look what comes out of thy sister’s mouth when she speaks. Wouldst not thou be glad, my dear, to have the same gift given to thee? Thou hast nothing else to do but go and draw water out of the fountain, and when a certain poor woman asks you to let her drink, to give it her very civilly.’

‘It would be a very fine sight indeed,’ said this ill-bred minx, ‘to see me go draw water.’

‘You shall go, hussey!’ said the mother; ‘and this minute.’