Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/134

118 to the forest to fetch Netty, and bring all the gold and good things which she was sure Netty had got.

Away drove the old man into the forest, while his wife sat down by the window and watched.

After some time her little dog came into the room, barking as before,—

"Bow-wow-wow! My master is coming home with Netty, but neither gold nor horses have they got, and Netty is nearly dead."

"Oh, you wicked, wicked, bad dog, to lie in that way; wait till you see what bags of gold, what troops of horses, and other good things Netty is bringing with her."

But the little dog was right; the old man came home with nothing but Netty, and there was not very much of her, as she was almost dead.

With some difficulty they at last managed to get her out of the cart and took her into the house.

The bad-tempered woman shortly after died of envy and disgust, but no one was particularly grieved at this.

Mary married a rich and handsome young man, and lived very happily ever after. But what became of Netty I do not know; anyhow, let us hope that she is a better girl, and keeping house for her old father.