The Ten Fairy Servants.[1]
Many years ago there lived in Gullbjers a family of peasants, who had a daughter, Elsa. As she was the only child she was [[72]]much adored, and her parents sought in every way to anticipate her slightest wish. As soon as she had been confirmed she was sent to the city to learn how to sew, and also city manners and customs. But in the city she acquired little other knowledge than how to adorn herself, and to scorn housework and manual labor.
When she was twenty years old she won the love of an industrious and honorable young farmer, named Gunner, and before many months had gone by they were man and wife.
In the beginning all was pleasure, but she soon began to weary with her many household duties. Early one morning, shortly before Christmas, there was life and activity in Gunner’s yard. Elsa had hardly risen from bed when the servant, Olle, sprang in and said:
“Dear mistress, get ready our haversacks, for we are going to the woods, and we must be off if we are to get back before evening.”
“Dear mother, the leaven is working,” called one of the servant girls, “and if you will come out now we will have more than usually good bread.”
The butcher, Zarkis, who had already stuck a large hog and several small pigs, had just stepped in to get the accustomed dram, when old Brita came rushing after material for candle wicks. Lastly came Gunner, out of patience because the servant had not yet started for the woods.
“My departed mother,” said he, with kindly earnestness, “always prepared everything the night before when people were expected to go to work early in the [[73]]morning, and I have requested you to do likewise, Elsa. But do not forget the loom, my dear; there are now only a few yards of cloth remaining to be woven, and it will not do to allow it to lie in the way over the holidays.”
Now, wholly out of patience, Elsa rushed in a rage out of the kitchen to the house in which the loom stood, slammed the door furiously behind her and cast herself weeping upon a sofa.
“No!” shrieked she. “I will no longer endure this drudgery. Who could have thought that Gunner would make a common housewife of me, to wear my life out thus? Oh, unhappy me! Is there no one who can help and comfort a poor creature?”