Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/70

54 girl was scolded by all, except her father, who loved her dearly.

Years went by, and these young girls grew into beautiful young women, and were beginning to think of getting married. The father, though anxious to find them all good partners, was sorely afraid to part with Martha, who had become a wonderfully beautiful girl; the step-mother, on the other hand, was anxious to get rid of her. She was not particular in what way; but she knew that Martha was the chief attraction in the house, and that while she was there, the other two girls were not likely to stand any chance. Many a young man had already asked for her hand, but Martha was in no hurry, as she cared for none of them very much; so she refused them all; but no one had yet proposed to the other two girls. The step-mother began thinking what she had better do to get Martha out of the way. At last she thought of something that seemed to her a very good idea.

"Martha must really make up her mind to marry some one," said she one night to her husband.

"But she does not care for any one; besides, what should we do if she did? who would feed the animals and look after the hut, if Martha were to marry?"

"Stuff! you surely don't want her to stop at home altogether, and die an old maid?"

"Certainly not; yet who is to look after everything, and cheer us in our old age. I am sure neither Pasha nor Masha would care about that."

"Of course not; they will soon be snatched up. In fact, they would have been married now, only the