"
And so she thought and thought again how she might kill Snow-white,
for so long as she was not the fairest in the whole land, envy let her
have no rest. And when she had at last thought of something to do, she
painted her face and dressed herself like an old peddler-woman, and
no one could have known her. Then she went over the seven hills to the
seven dwarfs, and knocked at the door and cried:
"Pretty things to sell, very cheap, very cheap." Little Snow-white
looked out of the window and called out:
"Good-day, my good woman, what have you to sell?"
"Good things, pretty things," she answered; "stay-laces of all
colors," and she pulled out one which was woven of bright silk.
"I may let the good old woman in," thought Snow-white, and she
unbolted the door and bought the pretty laces.
"Child," said the old woman, "what a fright you look! Come, I will
lace you properly for once."
Snow-white stood before her, and let herself be laced with the new
laces. But the old woman laced so quickly and laced so tightly that
Snow-white lost her breath and fell down as if dead. "Now I am the
most beautiful," said the Queen to herself, and ran away.
Not long after, in the evening, the seven dwarfs came home, but how
shocked they were when they saw their dear little Snow-white lying
on the ground! She did not stir or move, and seemed to be dead.
Pages:
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398