Page:The Russian Garland of Fairy Tales.djvu/187

 done: Prituitshkin slipped off her jacket, slipper, and head-dress, and dismissed Dogada in shame and remorse.

Early the next day, when the shoemaker Goria arose, his servant Prituitshkin told him all that passed during the night, and advised him, when Mistafor should propose to him a riddle, to answer: "Riddle me no riddle, but I will give you a riddle, and then," continued he, "propose to Mistafor this riddle: 'I went to walk in your green meadows and caught three goats, and stripped from each of them three skins.' If Mistafor doubts, and says that it is impossible for a goat to have three skins, call me and order me to bring the skins."

When Goria received these directions from his servant Prituitshkin, he went to Mistafor, who at once began to propose to him a riddle, but Goria answered: "I will give you a riddle." And he continued: "I went to walk in your green meadows, and caught three goats, and stripped from each of them three skins." Mistafor doubted greatly and said: "It is impossible for a goat to have three skins."

"At all events 'tis quite true," replied Goria; and so saying, he ordered Prituitshkin to bring the three skins which he had taken from the three goats. So the servant immediately brought them to him.