Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/125

Rh all their force against you, but you must put some oil in the holes and on the hinges. Then the dogs will bark and want to bite you, but you must give them some bread; then a cat will want to scratch your eyes out, but you must give her some ham. And then a maid will want to boil you, but you must give her a handkerchief; all this you must do, or you will never be able to leave the witch."

Away went the little girl, on and on until she reached a hut, where an old witch with a wooden leg, was sitting spinning.

"Good-day, aunty!" said the child.

"Good-day to you, my dear," replied the witch. "What brings you here?"

"My step-mother has sent me to you for a needle and thread to sew me a dress."

"Very well," said the witch, "sit you down in my place and spin, while I go and get the things you want."

The little girl obeyed, and the witch left the room and told her maid-servant,—

"Go, heat the bath, hot enough to boil my niece, for I want to make my dinner off her."

When the maid came to fetch the little girl, she found her nearly half-dead with fright.

"Dear maid," she said, giving her a handkerchief, "don't put so much wood in the stove, but pour more cold water in the bath."

The maid obeyed, for she was so delighted with her present.

After awhile the witch came to the window, and asked,—