to-night, at sunset, take a little drinking-cup with two ears" (that is, handles), "and put it bottom upwards on the ground in the north-west corner of your garden. then go and lift it up to-morrow morning at sunrise, and you will find two roses underneath it, one red and one white. if you eat the red rose, a little boy will be born to you: if you eat the white rose, a little girl will be sent. but, whatever you do, you mustn't eat both the roses, or you'll be sorry, that i warn you! only one: remember that!" "thank you a thousand times," said the queen, "this is good news indeed!" and she wanted to give the old woman her gold ring; but the old woman wouldn't take it.