52 SLAV TALES

she finished her prayer, and laying her head on the girl’s
pillow, fell asleep. Next day she said, ‘‘Come, darling child,
tell me what you were dreaming about last night, you looked
so happy smiling in your sleep.”

“Oh yes, mother, I remember. I had a very beautiful
dream. I thought a rich nobleman came to our house, in
a splendid carriage of brass, and gave me a ring set with
stones, that sparkled like the stars of heaven. When I entered
the church with him, it was full of people, and they all
thought me divine and adorable, like the Blessed Virgin.”

“Ah! my child, what sin! May God keep you from
such dreams.”

But the daughter ran away singing, and busied herself
about the house. The same day a handsome young farmer
drove into the village in his cart and begged them to come
and share his country bread. He was a kind fellow, and
the mother liked him much. But the daughter refused his
invitation, and insulted him into the bargain.

“Even if you had driven in a carriage of brass,” she said,
“and had offered me a ring set with stones shining as the
stars in heaven, I would never have married you—you, a
mere peasant!”

The young farmer was terribly upset at her words, and
with a prayer for her soul, returned home a saddened man.
But her mother scolded and reproached her.

The next night the woman again awoke, and taking her
rosary prayed with still greater fervour, that God would bless
her child. This time the girl laughed as she slept.

“What can the poor child be dreaming about?” she
said to herself: and sighing she prayed for her again. Then