So the little old woman went home, and there she found all her old clothes changed to new ones. There was a silk dress and a flowered apron, and a grand lace cap and high-heeled shoes.
Well, she was very happy, and she thought she should never want anything more; but after a while she grew discontented again.
So back she went to the waterside and called “Fairy, fairy”; and the water bubbled, and the little fairy stood beside her.
“What do you want, good woman?” she said.
And the little old woman answered: “You have been very kind, ma’am, in giving me a house and furniture and clothes; and now, if you please, I should like a maid. For I find when I have to do the work of the house that my new clothes get very dirty.”
Then the fairy said, “Go home and you shall have one.”
So the little old woman went home, and there she found at the door a neat little maid with a broom in her hand, all ready to sweep the floor.
This made her very happy, and she thought she would never want anything more; but after a while she grew discontented again.
So back she went to the waterside and called “Fairy, fairy”; and the water bubbled, and the little fairy stood beside her.
“What do you want, good woman?” she said.