East of the Sun and West of the Moon (22)

East of the Sun and West of the Moon (22)


Well, that was a very small matter, they thought, and agreed to do it.

The Princess with the long nose began to wash as well as she could, but, the more she washed and rubbed, the larger the spots grew.

" Ah !  you can't wash at all, " said the old troll-hag, who was her mother.

" Give it to me. "

But she too had not had the shirt very long in her hands before it looked worse still, and, the more she washed it and rubbed it, the larger and blacker grew the spots.


So the othertrolls had to come and wash, but, the more they did, the blacker and uglier grew the shirt, until at length it was as black as if it had been up the chimney.

" Oh, " cried the Prince, " not one of you is good for anything at all ! There is a beggar-girl sitting outside the window, and I'll be bound that she can wash better than any of you ! Come in, you girl there ! " he cried.

" Oh ! I don't know, " she said ; " but I will try. "


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