r said than done: Prituitshkin slipped
off her jacket, slipper, and head-dress, and dismissed Dogada in shame
and remorse.

Early the next day, when the shoemaker Goria arose, his servant
Prituitshkin told him all that passed during the night, and advised
him, when Mistafor should propose to him a riddle, to answer: "Riddle
me no riddle, but I will give you a riddle, and then," continued he,
"propose to Mistafor this riddle: 'I went to walk in your green
meadows and caught three goats, and stripped from each of them three
skins.' If Mistafor doubts, and says that it is impossible for a goat
to have three skins, call me and order me to bring the skins."

When Goria received these directions from his servant Prituitshkin, he
went to Mistafor, who at once began to propose to him a riddle, but
Goria answered; "I will give you a riddle." And he continued: "I went
to walk in your green meadows and caught three goats, and stripped
from each of them three skins." Mistafor doubted greatly and said: "It
is impossible for a goat to have three skins."

"At all events 'tis quite true," replied Goria; and so saying, he
ordered Prituitshkin to bring the three skins which he had taken from
the three goats. So the servant immediately brought them to him.

When Mistafor beheld his daughter's dress he was troubled, scolded
her in his heart, and asked the pretended Tsarevich how Dogada's dress
had come into his hands. So the shoemaker told him all that had
happened. Mistafor, enraged against his daughter, exclaimed: "Look ye,
did you not say that this was not Prince Dardavan, but the shoemaker
Goria Krutshinin? I have no longer patience--prepare instantly for
your wedding." And Goria the shoemaker married the Princess Dogada
that very day.

Sometime after this the servant Prituitshkin came to Goria and said:
"Now that I have made your fortune, do something for me in return: I
have a request to make. In your garden is a pond, in which I formerly
lived. A maiden was one day washing linen, and dropped a ring into the
pond, and by that means she drove me from it. Order now the water to
be let off and the pond to be cleaned out: desire that whoever finds
the ring shall bring it to you, and when it is found, order the pond
to be filled with clear water and a boat to be built; and in this boat
sail with your wife and me. I will then throw myself into the water,
and when your wife exclaims: 'Ah! the servant Prituitshkin is
drowned!' only rep