THE FAIRY GIFTS. 15

needs take her meals in the kitchen, and
work hard all day and every day.

Among other things she had to go
twice a day to draw water from a well
quite half-a-mile from the house, and
carry back a great pitcher-full.

One day, while she was beside the
spring, a poor woman came by, and
begged to drink from her pitcher.
“Why, yes! good mother!” said the
maid. So she took her pitcher, and
rinsing it, drew some fair water from
the well, and held it up for the old
woman, that she might drink the more
easily.

When she had finished her draught,
the woman said to her, ‘‘ You are such a
kind, good maid, and your face pleases

me so well, that I must find a gift for