The Milkmaid and Her Pail

A milkmaid was walking along with a pail of milk on her head, and singing merrily as she went. She was thinking of the money which the milk would bring, for she was carrying it to town to sell.

"Let me see," she said to herself. "Here are eight quarts of milk, and with the money which I get for it I can buy fifty eggs. From fifty eggs I can safely say that forty chickens will be hatched. The chickens will be big enough to take to market at Christmas, and they will bring a good price then. They will come to five dollars, at least, and with that I will buy a handsome new dress. I think, I will buy a green one—yes, that's what I'll do. Then I will wear it to church, and all the young fellows will want to walk home with me. But I won't look at any of them—no, not I!"

She tossed her head proudly, and the pail, which she had altogether forgotten, tipped over and fell, and all the milk was spilled on the ground.