She went into the orchard behind the house, and presently came back with a huge peach, which made the child's eyes glisten with pleasure.
"Now, come and sit down here, and when you've finished your peach
I'll take you home."
Thereupon she sat down on her favourite seat, the doorstep, and the child nestled by her side.
"What story shall I tell you?"
"One you've already told me," replied the boy, for, like almost all children, he liked best the stories he already knew.
Milena then began the oft-repeated tale of
THE MAN WHO SERVED THE DEVIL.
"Once a farmer's only son married a very young girl——"
"How old was she?" interrupted the child.
"She was sixteen."