Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/30

14 "And what was the meaning of the black horseman who overtook me just at your gates, grannie?"

"That was my black Night. All are my faithful servants."

Vasilisa remembered the three pairs of hands, but said nothing more.

"Why don't you ask something more?" demanded the Baba Yaga.

"I am afraid of what you said might happen to me: if one comes to know too much one grows old."

"It is good," said the Baba Yaga, "that you should ask only about what you have seen out of doors and not what you have seen in the house. I do not like people to tell tales about me out of school, and I eat up those who are too inquisitive! And now I am going to put a question to you. How did you succeed in doing the work which I gave you to do?"

"My mother's blessing helped me," replied Vasilisa.

"What is that? Begone from me, you daughter-with-the-blessing! I don't want people who have been blessed!"

And she dragged Vasilisa from the room and