Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/19

Rh gone to bed she would shut herself into her little room and give it the good things, saying:

"Here, little Doll, eat something and listen to my tale of woe! Here I live in my papa's house, but I do not get any pleasure out of it. My wicked stepmother is trying to drive me out of the bright world. Teach me! How must I behave and what must I do?"

The Doll would eat a little and then give her good advice and console her for her sorrow, and before morning came it would finish every one of Vasilisa's tasks. While she was resting in the cool air or gathering flowers, the beds were weeded for her, the cabbages watered, the pails filled, and the fire made. The Doll also taught her how to avoid sunburn. It was fine to live with the Doll!

Several years passed. Vasilisa had grown up into a beautiful maiden. All the young men in town sought her, though not one of them would so much as look at her stepsisters. The stepmother was crosser than ever and replied to all the suitors: "We will not give the youngest one before the older ones."

And as soon as she had sent the suitors away she would vent her spite on Vasilisa with blows.

Now it happened that the merchant was obliged