her fancy and she was rejoiced that she had put Dobrunka out of the way.
When they finished feasting, Dobromil asked her: “What have you been doing all this time, my dear Dobrunka? I’m sure you’ve been spinning.”
“That’s true, my dear husband,” Zloboha said in a flattering tone. “My old spinning wheel got broken, so I bought a new one, a lovely golden one.”
“You must show me it at once,” the king said, and he took Zloboha’s arm and led her away.
He went with her to her chamber where she had the golden spinning wheel and she took it out and showed it to him. Dobromil admired it greatly.
“Sit down, Dobrunka,” he said, “and spin. I should like to see you again at the distaff.”
Zloboha at once sat down behind the wheel. She put her foot to the treadle and started the wheel. Instantly the wheel sang out and this is what it sang:
“Master, master, don’t believe her!
She’s a cruel and base deceiver!
She is not your own sweet wife!
She destroyed Dobrunka’s life!”
Zloboha sat stunned and motionless while the king looked wildly about to see where the song came from.
