“It wasn’t to-day,” said Theophania, called Tiffany for short; and she could not help laughing, kindly, at the five expressions of surprise on the five fair faces.
“The second task is over,” said Peter-Wise. “Now go and borrow your mothers’ wash-tubs, wait till the moon rises, catch it, and put it in the tub. Then come and fetch me.”
“But,” said Tiffany, “there is only one moon.”
“Exactly,” he replied, “therefore only one of you can succeed.”
Mary and Sally and Polly and Minnie and Lucy whispered together.
“He is making sport of us,” they agreed. “Not even Tiffany can catch the moon. We must give it up.” And each of them said in her heart: “After all, so-and-so would make a much better husband.”
So they gave it up.
“THERE, SURE ENOUGH, WAS THE ROUND, SILVER MOON”
But in the evening Tiffany came to Peter-Wise and said: