Oldal 166 [166]
LABOULAYE’S FAIRY BOOK
‘Where is the cask?" asked her mistress, who was waiting
impatiently for the water.
"A mule ran against me and knocked it down, and it is
all broken to pieces."
At these words her mistress lost patience. Seizing a
broom, she gave the negress one of those lessons that are
not soon forgotten; then, taking down a leathern bottle
that was hanging on the wall, "Run, wretched ape,” she
said; "and if you do not instantly bring this back to me
full of water, I will beat you within an inch of your life.”
The negress took to her heels in terror, and filled the bot¬
tle obediently; but when it was filled she stopped to look
once more in the fountain; and seeing the lovely face
reflected there, "No!" she cried, in a burst of anger—‘“ no,
I will not be a water-carrier; no, I was not made to serve
my mistress like a dog."
Saying this, she took from her hair the great pin that
held it, and pierced the bottle through and through. The
water spouted out in every direction. At the sight the
fairy in the tree burst into a fit of laughter. The negress
looked up, saw the beautiful stranger, and understood the
whole.
"Oh!" said she to herself, "so you are the cause of my
beating; no matter, you shall pay me well for it." Then,
raising her voice, she called, in her sweetest tones, " What
are you doing up there, lovely lady?”
128