Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/121

Rh came, but she was so very tough that she would have made your teeth quite blunt."

"That matters not. I told you that you should always keep any one who ventured into my hut, be they tough or tender!"

"Very well, mother; the next time any one comes I shall be sure to keep them."

Early on the following morning the witch flew away, while the two girls sat laughing and talking with each other, quite forgetting all about the old witch this time. They did not notice the hours go by, but talked on, when suddenly, to their great horror, the witch stood before them.

Tania nearly fainted at the sight of the old hag, with a skeleton leg, and goodness knows what kind of a nose, it was such a very long one! But Varia was not in the least frightened; she recovered from the sudden shock which she received when she first beheld her in a moment. She rose, and taking Tania by the hand introduced her to the witch, saying,—

"You told me that if any person should come while you were out I was to keep them. I have done as you wished; this is Countess Tania, sister of Count Daniel Nathaniel."

"Very well," replied the witch. "I am glad to know you, countess. But why are you two girls sitting here with your hands folded? Get some wood and light the fire, and look alive."

They obeyed; and when all was done, the witch turned to Tania and said,—

"Get into the stove and sit on this iron tray, so that I can push you in without any trouble."