So they agreed at that: “You suit me and I suit you.”
They filled up the plates and again emptied them, and they went on filling plates until there was not any money left: but there were ever so many plates over. The boyár saw he was getting the worst of the bargain and sent for more money from the house. So they piled the plates higher still, but all the money vanished, and still all the goods had not been used up.
“What is to be done, potter? Why are you so greedy?”
“There is nothing to be done.”
“I have a very high esteem for you, potter, but do you know what?”
“Do you carry me in to the courtyard, and I will give you the goods and the money back as well.”
So the boyár hesitated: he was very sorry to lose his money and for himself, but he could not help himself, and so they agreed. They unharnessed the horse, and the peasant sat in the carriage and the boyár walked on. The potter sang a song, and the boyár drew it along, drew it along. “How far must I take you in front of that courtyard?”
The potter went on singing joyously and said, “In front of the house, at the very top of the carriage.”
When he reached the palace he stood up erect and sang, joyously.
The Tsar heard him singing and ran to the flight of steps, and recognised the potter. “Ha! welcome, potter!”