Stranica 166 [166]
OCR
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 bottle 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
