22 FAIRY TALES
forthwith the very same day married the princess.
Puss became a great lord, and never ran after mice any more, but only for his diversion.
TALE V.
The Fairy.
THERE was, once upon a time, a widow, who had two daughters. The eldest was so much like her in the face and humour, that whoever looked upon the daughter, saw the mother, they were both so disagreeable and proud, that there was no living with them. The youngest, who was the very picture of her father for courtesy and sweetness of temper, was also one of the most beautiful girls ever seen. As people generally love their own likeness this mother even doated on her eldest daughter, and at the same time, had a horrible aversion for the youngest. She made her eat in the kitchen, and work continually.
Among other things, this poor girl was forced twice a-day, to draw water about a mile and a half off the house, and bring home a pitcher full of it. One day, as she was at the fountain, there came to. her a poor woman, who begged of her to let her drink. “O ay, with all my heart, Goody,” said this pretty little girl, and rinsing immediately the pitcher, she took some water from the clearest part of the fountain, and gave it to her, holding up the pitcher all the while, that she might drink the easier.
The good woman having drank, said to her, "You are so very pretty, my dear,so good, and so mannerly, that I cannot help giving you a gift, (for this was a Fairy, who had taken the form of a poor country woman, to see how far the civility and good manners of this pretty girl would go.) “I will give
