` May all go well with thee , ' said the oven , as the girl walked on . By-and-by she became very thirsty , and seeing a cow with a milk-pail hanging on her horn , turned towards her . ` Milk me and drink as much as you will , little maiden , ' cried the cow , ` but be sure you spill none on the ground ; and do me no harm , for I have never harmed anyone . ' ` Nor I , ' answered the girl ; ` fear nothing . ' So she sat down and milked till the pail was nearly full . Then she drank it all up except a little drop at the bottom . ` Now throw any that is left over my hoofs , and hang the pail on my horns again , ' said the cow . And the girl did as she was bid , and kissed the cow on her forehead and went her way . Many hours had now passed since the girl had fallen down the well , and the sun was setting . ` Where shall I spend the night ? ' thought she . And suddenly she saw before her a gate which she had not noticed before , and a very old woman leaning against it . ` Good evening , ' said the girl politely ; and the old woman answered : ` Good evening , my child . Would that everyone was as polite as you . Are you in search of anything ? ' ' I am in search of a place , ' replied the girl ; and the woman smiled and said : ` Then stop a little while and comb my hair , and you shall tell me all the things you can do . ' ` Willingly , mother , ' answered the girl . And she began combing out the old woman 's hair , which was long and white . Half an hour passed in this way , and then the old woman said : ` As you did not think yourself too good to comb me , I will show you where you may take service . Be prudent and patient and all will go well . '
So the girl thanked her , and set out for a farm XXXXX a little distance , where she was engaged to milk the cows and sift the corn .
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