Atondido Stories
The prince when he got home told his daughters that he had
seen Peter. They questioned him about Peter's appearance and
asked him what sort of a looking person this brother-in-law of
the Devil was.
"He isn't so very ugly," the prince said, "really he isn't. If he
washed his face and trimmed his hair and nails he'd be fairly
good-looking. In fact I rather like him."
He then talked to them very seriously about the state of the
treasury and he told them that unless he could raise a large sum
of money shortly there was danger of an uprising among the
people.
"If you, my daughters, wish to see the peace of the country
preserved, if you want to make me happy in my old age, one of
you will have to marry this young man, for I see no other way to
raise the money."
At this the two older princesses tossed their heads scornfully
and laughed loud and long.
"You may rest assured, dear father, that neither of us will
marry such a creature! We are the daughters of a prince and
won't marry beneath us, no, not even to save the country from
ruin!"
"Then I don't know what I'll do," the prince said.
"Father," whispered Linka, the youngest. Her voice quavered
and her face turned pale. "Father, if your happiness and the
peace of the country depend on this marriage, I will sacrifice my-
self, God help me!"
"My child! My dear child!" the prince cried, taking Linka in
his arms and kissing her tenderly.
The two elder sisters jeered and ha-ha-ed.
"Little sister-in-law of the Devil!" they said mockingly. "Now
if you were to marry Prince Lucifer himself that would be
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