Pagina 336 van 626

Then first came two white doves in at the kitchen window; next

came two turtle-doves; and after them came all the little birds

under heaven, chirping and hopping about. And they flew down into

the ashes; and the little doves put their heads down and set to

work, pick, pick, pick; and then the others began pick, pick,

pick; and they put all the good grain into the dishes, and left

all the ashes. Before half an hour's time all was done, and out

they flew again. And then Ashputtel took the dishes to her

mother, rejoicing to think that she should now go to the ball.

But her mother said, 'It is all of no use, you cannot go; you

have no clothes, and cannot dance, and you would only put us to

shame': and off she went with her two daughters to the ball.

Now when all were gone, and nobody left at home, Ashputtel went

sorrowfully and sat down under the hazel-tree, and cried out:

'Shake, shake, hazel-tree, Gold and silver over me!'