Now follow Petrovna as she stops at the booth of this richly dressed Persian. See the beautiful rugs and carpets hung up for sale. They will last a lifetime for those who have money enough to buy them.
Here is a whole street devoted to the sale of silks. There are many beautiful shades. Petrovna shall have a piece of delicate yellow to make her a new party dress, while her mamma chooses one of rich brocade. It is heavy enough to stand alone.
Let us go with our travellers and look with them at these exquisite gems,—amethysts, crystals, and the clearest of topaz. Petrovna's papa will buy one of these, no doubt. He will have it set in a ring to give his wife.
Besides all the rich and rare things which Asia can send to the fair, Russia furnishes many things to exchange with her great neighbour. There are all kinds of goods, which have been made in the factories of her cities. The most important are the cotton goods, the cutlery, and the fine articles of silver. There are also immense stores of wheat, barley, and other grains, and quantities of dried fruits.
Especially for her own people, there are bazaars and bazaars filled with samovars of every style, rich furs from the animals of the cold lands of the north, and candles by millions.
Day after day, Petrovna and Ivan wander about the fair grounds. Each time they see something new they wish to buy. When they are tired of looking about in the bazaars, they go to one of the concert-halls. They will be sure to hear some music they like. Or else they go to a theatre, and see a play that makes them laugh till their sides are sore. Perhaps they watch the performance of some jugglers, and try to discover how they do their wonderful tricks. Quite often they go into one of the restaurants with papa. While he is drinking tea and talking over prices with the men he meets, the children have a dainty lunch, and watch the waiters. What queer-looking people they are! They are Tartars. They look much like the Chinese, except that their heads are shaven. They wear white linen shirts and trousers. Their feet are bound with pieces of cloth and encased in sandals.
Among other things, Petrovna watches a band of gypsies. They are the very ones she saw in the streets the day she arrived in the city. Some of them are old and withered and ugly. They look like witches. But others are young and quite handsome, with their black hair and bright dark eyes. The women wear bright-coloured handkerchiefs around their heads, and shawls over their shoulders.
Look! Watch that young girl as she dances and twirls her skirt. She is certainly very pretty and graceful. She stops now and comes up to Petrovna. She wishes to tell her fortune. Mamma says yes. Our little girl gives the gypsy a piece of silver and holds out her hand. The gypsy notices her fine clothing, looks well at her mamma, then closely examines the little white palm. She tells the child that she will be very happy and do much good in the world. As she grows up she will marry a rich count and live in a grand mansion. She says many more pleasant things will happen, and Petrovna smiles and believes it all.
Let us leave our dear little cousin here for the present. Let us hope that the gypsy's prophecy is a true one.