Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/116

 would only go down into the garden it would banish all your melancholy, it would cool your head."

For a long time the princess argued against it. No, she would not do it. But at last she said to herself, "It is no sin to go down into the garden," and she went.

In the garden flowed crystal-clear spring water.

"Why!" exclaimed the little woman, "the day is so warm, the sun is scorching, but the water is icy cool. See how it dashes! Couldn't we have a bath here?"

"No, no, I will not!" she replied. But at the same time she said to herself: "Why! there's no sin in taking a bath."

So she stripped off her dress and jumped into the water. As soon as she had ducked under, the little woman gave her a tap on the back.

"Swim off," said she, "a little White Duckling." And immediately the princess swam away in the shape of a White Duckling.

Then the sorceress put on the princess's clothes and ornaments, painted her cheeks, and sat down to wait for the prince. As soon as the puppy barked and the bell jingled, she ran to meet the prince, threw herself into his arms, kissed him,