When that
came, he again asked her where she lived. But all that she would say
was:
"Kind sir, if the truth I must tell,
At the sign of the 'Broken Ladle' I dwell."
and with that she curtsied, and flew from the ball, off with her golden
robe, on with her catskin, and into the scullery without the cook's
knowing.
Next day when the young lord could not find where was the sign of the
"Basin of Water," or of the "Broken Ladle," he begged his mother to have
another grand ball, so that he might meet the beautiful maid once more.
All happened as before. Catskin told the cook how much she would like to
go to the ball, the cook called her "a dirty slut," and broke the
skimmer across her head. But she only shook her ears, and went off to
the forest, where she first bathed in the crystal spring, and then
donned her coat of feathers, and so off to the ball-room.
When she entered every one was surprised at so beautiful a face and form
dressed in so rich and rare a dress; but the young lord soon recognised
his beautiful sweetheart, and would dance with none but her the whole
evening.
Pages:
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231