Th ere once lived wealthy farmer who owned more land than anyone else in country. he hoarded silver in chests and drawers, besides earning interest as money-lender. but one thing was lacking, for he was widower. one day young daughter of his neighbour came to work for him. wealthy farmer took immediate liking to her. he believed that if he only hinted at marriage, she would jump at chance, since her father could not aff ord dowry. so he told her he had mind to fi nd himself bride. girl was astonished. she could hardly hide smile.

Th ere once lived .a.. wealthy farmer who owned more land than anyone else in .a.. country. He hoarded ... silver in chests and ... drawers, besides earninginterest as ..a. money-lender. But one thing was lacking, for he was .a.. widower. One day ..a. young daughter of his neighbour came to work for him. ..The. wealthy farmer took .an.. immediate liking to her. He believed that if he only hinted at .a.. marriage, she would jump at .a.. chance, since her father could not aff ord .a.. dowry. So he told her he had .hisa.. mind to fi nd himself ... bride. .The.. girl was astonished. She could hardly hide .her.. smile.