The youngest, who was the very picture of her father for courtesy and sweetness of temper, was withal one of the most beautiful girls ever seen. As people naturally love their own likeness, this mother even doted on her eldest daughter and at the same time had a horrible aversion for the youngest–she made her eat in the kitchen and work continually.
Among other things, this poor child was forced twice a day to draw water above a mile and a-half off the house, and bring home a pitcher full of it. One day, as she was at this fountain, there came to her a poor woman, who begged of her to let her drink.
“Oh! ay, with all my heart, Goody,” said this pretty little girl; and rinsing immediately the pitcher, she took up some water from the clearest place of the fountain, and gave it to her, holding up the pitcher all the while, that she might drink the easier.
The good woman, having drunk, said to her:
You are so very pretty, my dear, so good and so mannerly, that I cannot help giving you a gift.” For this was a fairy, who had taken the form of a poor country woman, to see how far the civility and good manners of this pretty girl would go. “I will give you for a gift,” continued the Fairy, “that, at every word you speak, there shall come out of your mouth either a flower or a jewel.”
When this pretty girl came home her mother scolded her for staying so long at the fountain.
“I beg your pardon, mamma,” said the poor girl, “for not making more haste.”
And in speaking these words there came out of her mouth two roses, two pearls, and two diamonds.
Red roses, dazzling crystalline musks, and pearlescent coconut-tinged orris.
Rebecca –
Romans is absolutely beautiful. It starts out with a sweet blast of almond, but settles into a gorgeous, almost heartbreakingly realistic rose, with a whisper of almond in the background and some fig and just the faintest hint of cardamom. Rose does not always work on me, but it’s stunning here.
Amanda –
Sweet and warm. Floral without turning into powder on my skin, which is awesome because most anything with roses or almonds goes to powder on me and makes me smell like an old lady. I will be buying again.
a.grzybinski –
This is a lovely scent, and for such a good cause, too. While wet it is all almond & fig – delightfully sweet with a hint of spice. On my skin it dries down to a warm spice with soapy rose notes and sweetness around the edges. I can’t stop sniffing my wrists!