Tephany, hurt,
bewildered and excited, could control herself no longer, and turning
away burst into tears. But what was her surprise when she saw that each
tear-drop was a round and shining pearl. Barbaik, who also beheld this
marvel, uttered a cry of astonishment, and threw herself on her knees to
pick them up from the floor.

She was still gathering them when the door opened and in came Denis.

'Pearls! Are they really pearls?' he asked, falling on his knees also,
and looking up at Tephany he perceived others still more beautiful
rolling down the girl's cheeks.

'Take care not to let any of the neighbours hear of it, Denis,' said
Barbaik. 'Of course you shall have your share, but nobody else shall get
a single one. Cry on, my dear, cry on,' she continued to Tephany. It
is for your good as well as ours,' and she held out her apron to catch
them, and Denis his hat.

But Tephany could hardly bear any more. She felt half choked at the
sight of their greediness, and wanted to rush from the hall, and though
Barbaik caught her arm to prevent this, and said all sorts of tender
words which she thought would make the girl weep the more, Tephany with
a violent effort forced back her tears, and wiped her eyes.

'Is she finished already?' cried Barbaik, in a tone of disappointment.
'Oh, try again, my dear. Do you think it would do any good to beat her a
little?' she added to Denis, who shook his head.

'That is enough for the first time. I will go into the town and find out
the value of each pearl.'

'Then I will go with you,' said Barbaik, who never trusted anyone and
was afraid of being cheated. So the two went out, leaving Tephany behind
them.

She sat quite still on her chair, her hands clasped tightly together,
as if she was forcing something back. At last she raised her eyes, which
had been fixed on the ground, and beheld the fairy standing in a dark
corner by the hearth, observing her with a mocking look. The girl
trembled and jumped up, then, taking the feather, the pin, and the box,
she held them out to the old woman.

'Here they are, all of them,' she cried; 'they belong to you. Let me
never see them again, but I have learned the lesson that they taught me.
Others may have riches, beauty and wit, but as for me I desire nothing
but to be the poor peasant girl I always was, working hard for those she
loves.'

'Yes, you have learned your lesson,' answered the fairy, 'and now you
shall lead a peaceful life and m