Oldal 45 [45]
THE GOOSE GIRL. 21
And as her thirst was so great, the Princess had to get
down and to stoop and drink of the water of the brook, and
could not have her gold cup to serve her. "Oh dear!” said
the poor Princess. And the three drops of blood heard her,
and said,
‘Tf your mother knew of this, it would break her heart.”
But the Princess answered nothing, and quietly mounted
her horse again, So they rode on some miles farther; the day
was warm, the sun shone hot, and the Princess grew thirsty
once more. And when they came to a water-course she called
again to the waiting-woman and said,
‘‘Get down, and give me to drink out of my golden cup.”
For she had forgotten all that had gone before. But the wait¬
ing-woman spoke still more scornfully and said,
“Tf you want a drink, you may get it yourself ; I am not
going to be your slave.”
So, as her thirst was so great, the Princess had to get off
her horse and to stoop towards the running water to drink, and
as she stooped, she wept and said, " Oh dear!” And the three
drops of blood heard her and answered,
‘Tf your mother knew of this, it would break her heart !”
And as she drank and stooped over, the napkin on which
were the three drops of blood fell out of her bosom and
floated down the stream, and in her distress she never noticed
it; not so the waiting-woman, who rejoiced because she should
have power over the bride, who, now that she had lost the
three drops of blood, had become weak, and unable to defend
herself. And when she was going to mount her horse again
the waiting-woman cried,
“Falada belongs to me, and this jade to you.” And
the Princess had to give way and let it be as she said. ‘Then
the waiting-woman ordered the Princess with many hard words
to take off her rich clothing and to put on her plain garments,
and then she made her swear to say nothing of the matter
when they came to the royal court; threatening to take her
life if she refused. And all the while Falada noticed and
remembered.
The waiting-woman then mounting Falada, and the Prin¬
cess the sorry jade, they journeyed on till they reached the
royal castle. ‘There was great joy at their coming, and the