But Three
Eyes was not more skilful; with all her efforts she could not draw the
branches, nor the fruit, near enough to pluck even a leaf, for they
sprang back as she put out her hand.
At last the mother was impatient, and climbed up herself, but with no
more success, for, as she appeared to grasp a branch, or fruit, her
hand closed upon thin air.
"May I try?" said little Two Eyes; "perhaps I may succeed."
"You, indeed!" cried her sisters; "you, with your two eyes, what can
you do?"
But Two Eyes climbed up, and the golden apples did not fly back from
her when she touched them, but almost laid themselves on her hand,
and she plucked them one after another, till she carried down her own
little apron full.
The mother took them from her, and gave them to her sisters, as she
said little Two Eyes did not handle them properly, but this was only
from jealousy, because little Two Eyes was the only one who could
reach the fruit, and she went into the house feeling more spiteful to
her than ever.
It happened that while all three sisters were standing under the tree
together a young knight rode by. "Run away, quick, and hide yourself,
little Two Eyes; hide yourself somewhere, for we shall be quite
ashamed for you to be seen.
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