Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/56

40 been awfully unpleasant, for me as well as for you, had you done otherwise, for the man who bought me was no other than the sorcerer. He is trying to get me back to marry his daughter, who seems to have taken a great fancy to me; but as I don't particularly care for the young lady myself, I am by no means anxious to return to him."

Things went on very well for some time. The old woman got all she wanted, and everything was very comfortable in the little hut, till one day she looked out of the window into the little yard at the back, and sighed.

"What is the matter now, mother mine?" asked the son. "Is there anything more that you are in need of?"

"Oh, it's not worth talking about, dear! I was only thinking what a pity it is that such a nice piece of ground as we have at the back here should be so empty. Now, if I had the means, I should buy some horses, cows, pigs, poultry, or something to make it look cheerful; but it's no use my wishing for things when we can't afford to have them."

"I don't know, mother; I think we shall soon be able to get all you want. I told you that I would try and please you in every possible way, and get you everything you like; so take me to the market again, and I shall change myself into a lovely little pony, and you must try and sell me for three hundred roubles; but be careful not to sell me with the bridle."

So off went the old woman once more to market, leading a sweetly pretty, plump little pony. The crowd again surrounded her, admiring the wicked-