Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/160

 imagined or conceived, but only described in a story. It was decorated with gold and silver and clever designs. Prince Ivan took the shirt and carried it to his father. The king took it and looked at it: "Well, now, this is a shirt to wear on Easter Sunday!"

The second brother brought his shirt, when the king said: "I'd only go to the bath in that!" But when he took the elder brother's shirt, he said: "Take it to the kitchen!"

The king's sons departed, and the two elder ones said to each other: "It is plain we mustn't laugh at Prince Ivan's wife; she is not a Frog, but some kind of a witch."

Again the king gave orders that all his three sons should appear at a ball with their wives. Prince Ivan went home to his palace in no happy frame of mind; his proud head hung down below his shoulders.

His Frog asked him: "Kwa! kwa! Prince Ivan, why so troubled? Did you hear a discourteous word from your father?"

Prince Ivan replied: "How can I help being troubled? The sovereign, my father, has commanded that I come with you to a ball at his palace. How can I show you to people?"