. The violet fairy book . ime tree. She had been there for sometime, when a rustle among the leaves caused her to lookup, and she saw an old woman limping on her crutchestowards the stream that flowed through the grounds. When she had quenched her thirst, she came straightup to the queen, and said to her: Do not take it evil,noble lady, that I dare to speak to you, and do notbe afraid of me, for it may be that I shall bring you goodluck. The queen looked at her doubtfully, and answered: You do not seem as if you had been very lucky your-self, or to have much good fortune to spare for ai^oneels
. The violet fairy book . ime tree. She had been there for sometime, when a rustle among the leaves caused her to lookup, and she saw an old woman limping on her crutchestowards the stream that flowed through the grounds. When she had quenched her thirst, she came straightup to the queen, and said to her: Do not take it evil,noble lady, that I dare to speak to you, and do notbe afraid of me, for it may be that I shall bring you goodluck. The queen looked at her doubtfully, and answered: You do not seem as if you had been very lucky your-self, or to have much good fortune to spare for ai^oneelse. Under rough bark lies smooth wood and sweetkernel, replied the old woman. Let me see your hand,that I may read the future. The queen held out her hand, and the old womanexamined its lines closely. Then she said, Your heart is THE CHILD WHO CAME FROM AN EGG 99 heavy with two sorrows, one old and one new. The newsorrow is for your husband, who is fighting far away fromyou; but, believe me, he is well, and will soon bring. you joyful news. But your other sorrow is much olderthan this. Your happiness is spoilt because you haveno children. At these words the queen became scarlet, 100 THE CHILD WHO CAME FROM AN EGG and tried to draw away her hand, but the old womansaid : Have a little patience, for there are some things Iwant to see more clearly. But who are you ? asked the queen, for you seemto be able to read my heart. Never mind my name, answered she, but rejoicethat it is permitted to me to show you a way to lessenyour grief. You must, however, promise to do exactlywhat I tell you, if any good is to come of it. Oh, I will obey you exactly, cried the queen, and ifyou can help me you shall have in return anything youask for. The old woman stood thinking for a little : then shedrew something from the folds of her dress, and, undoinga number of wrappings, brought out a tiny basket madeof birch-bark. She held it out to the queen, saying, Inthe basket you will find a birds egg. This
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublisherlondon, bookyear190
