Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/120

 In the night the wicked sorceress came to the door and asked: "Are you asleep, children, or are you awake?"

The ugly one replied: "Whether we are asleep or not, we have made up our minds that they are going to kill us all. The red-hot fire is built, the bubbling pot is hung, the steely knives are sharpened."

"They are not asleep," said the sorceress, and she went away.

After awhile she carne back again to the door. "Are you asleep, children, or not?"

The ugly one made the same answer: "Whether we are asleep or not, we have made up our minds that they are going to kill us. The red-hot fire is built, the bubbling pot is hung, the steely knives are sharpened."

"Why is it always one voice replies?" wondered the sorceress. She opened the door a little way and perceived that the two brothers were sound asleep. Instantly she touched them with her deathly hand and they died.

In the morning the White Duckling called her children; they did not come. Her heart had a presentiment. She shook her wings and flew into the prince's courtyard. In the courtyard, white