but they were all disappointed , for not one of them , try as she would , could make her foot small enough to go into the fairy shoe ; and there were many bitter tears shed in secret , when they returned home , by countless fair ladies who prided themselves on the smallness of their feet , and who had set out full of lively expectation that they would be the successful competitors . at last the ambassador arrived at a house where a well - to - do laird had lived . but the laird was dead now , and there was nobody left but his wife and two daughters , who had grown poor of late , and who had to work hard for their living . one of the daughters was haughty and insolent ; the other was little , and young , and modest , and sweet .
his wife and two daughters .
who had grown poor of late, and who had to work hard for their living ?
who had grown poor of late, and who had to work hard for their living ?