THE FAIRY GIFTS. 17

speak, a flower or a jewel shall fall from
your lips.”

When she had reached home again,
her mother scolded her well for dawdling
so long on the way. ‘‘JI am very sorry,
mother,” said the poor child, <<‘ for being
late!” And as she spoke there fell from
her lips two roses, two pearls, and two
big diamonds.

“Why, how’s this ?” called her mother.
‘«¢What are all these pearls and diamonds,
and how came they here, my child?”
This, you must know, was the first time
her mother had ever spoken to her so
kindly.

The poor girl then told her mother
quite simply all that had happened, and
as she spoke a shower of sparkling stones

fell from her lips.

9B