o months she grew
stronger and healthier than ever. After she had done her work, she read,
played on the harpsichord, or else sang whilst she spun. On the
contrary, her two sisters did not know how to spend their time; they got
up at ten, and did nothing but saunter about the whole time, lamenting
the loss of their fine clothes and acquaintance.

"Do but see our younger sister," said one to the other, "what a poor,
stupid, mean-spirited creature she is, to be contented with such an
unhappy situation."

The good merchant was of quite a different opinion; he knew very well
that Beauty outshone her sisters in her person as well as her mind, and
admired her humility, industry, and patience, for her sisters not only
left her all the work of the house to do, but insulted her every moment.

The family had lived about a year in this retirement, when the merchant
received a letter with an account that a vessel, on board of which he
had effects, had safely arrived. This news had liked to have turned the
heads of the two eldest daughters, who immediately flattered themselves
with the hope of returning to town, for they were quite weary of a
country life, and when they saw their father ready to set out, they
begged of him to buy them new gowns, caps, rings, and all manner of
trifles; but Beauty asked for nothing, for she thought to herself that
all the money her father was going to receive would scarce be
sufficient to purchase everything her sisters wanted.

"What will you have, Beauty?" said her father.

"Since you are so good as to think of me," answered Beauty, "be so kind
as to bring me a rose; for as none grow hereabouts, they are a kind of
rarity."

Not that Beauty cared for a rose, but she asked for something lest she
should seem by her example to condemn her sisters' conduct, who would
have said she did it only to look particular. The good man went on his
journey; but when he arrived there they went to law with him about the
merchandise, and after a great deal of trouble and pains to no purpose,
he came back as poor as before.

He was within thirty miles of his own house, thinking of the pleasure he
should have in seeing his children again, when, going through a large
forest, he lost himself. It rained and snowed terribly; besides, the
wind was so high that it threw him twice off his horse; and night coming
on, he began to apprehend being either starved to death with cold and
hunger, or else devoured by the wolves,