you for gift, (continued the Fairy) that at every word you speak, there shall come out of your mouth either a flower or a jewel.”
When this pretty girl came home, her mother scolded at her for staying so long at the fountain. “I beg your pardon, mamma, said the poor girl, for not making more haste;” and in speaking these words, there came out of her mouth two roses, two pearls, and two diamonds. What is it I see there? said her mother quite astonished, I think I see pearls and diamonds come out of the girl’s mouth? how happy is this child? This was the first time, ever she called her child.
The poor creature told her frankly all the matter, not without dropping out infinite numbers of diamonds. “In good faith, cried the mother, I will send my child hither. Come hither, Fanny, look what comes cut of your sister’s mouth, when she speaks? Wouldst not thou be glad, my dear, to have the same gift given unto thee? Thou hast nothing else to do but go and draw water out of the fountain, and when a certain poor woman asks you to let her drink, to give it to her very civilly. It would be a very fine sight indeed, said this ill-bred minx, to see me go draw water. You shall go, hussy, said the mother, and this minute. So away she went, but grumbling all the way, taking with her the best silver tankard in the house.
She was no sooner at the fountain, than she saw coming out of the wood, a lady most gloriously dressed, who came up to her, and asked to drink. This was, you must know the very fairy who appeared to her sister; but had now taken the air and dress of a princess, to see how far this girl’s rudeness would go. “Am I come hither, said the proud sausy slut, to serve you with water, pray? I suppose the silver tankard was brought purely for your ladyship:
