Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/43

Rh But of course she endured their gibes without saying a word.

Another time the father prepared to go to town again for the fair, and he asked: "Well, my daughters, what shall I get for you?"

The eldest asked for a new dress, and so did the middle one, but the youngest again said: "Buy me a ruby-red flower, papa dear."

The father bade them good-bye, took his seat in his cart, and drove off to town. He bought two dresses, but no sign of a ruby-red flower could his eyes behold.

When he got home he said, "Alas, my dear daughter, again I have had no luck in finding your ruby-red flower."

"No matter, dear father, perhaps another time you will have better luck."

Well then, a third time the old man made ready to go to town to the fair, and he said: "Tell me, my dear daughters, what I shall get for you."

The two older ones said: "Buy us some earrings, father dear."

But again the youngest repeated her "Buy me the ruby-red flower, father."

The old man bade them good-bye, took his seat, and drove off. He bought some gold ear-rings;