 Chapter 6 of The Floating Prince and Other Fairy Tales This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Louise J. Bell. The Floating Prince and Other Fairy Tales by Frank R. Stockton Chapter 6 The Emergency Mistress Jules Voderman was a woodcutter and a very good one. He always had employment, for he understood his business so well and was so industrious and trustworthy that everyone in the neighborhood where he lived, who wanted woodcut, was glad to get him to do it. Jules had a very ordinary and commonplace life until he was a middle-aged man, and then something remarkable happened to him. It happened on the 25th of January in a very cold winter. Jules was 45 years old that year, and he remembered the day of the month because in the morning before he started out to his work, he had remarked that it was just one month since Christmas. The day before, Jules had cut down a tall tree and he had been busy all the morning sawing it into logs of the proper length and splitting it up and making a pile of it. When dinner time came round, Jules sat down on one of the logs and opened his basket. He had plenty to eat, good bread and sausage and a bottle of beer, for he was none of your poor woodcutters. As he was cutting a sausage he looked up and saw something coming from behind his woodpile. At first he thought it was a dog, for it was about the right size for a small dog, but in a moment he saw it was a little man. He was a little man indeed, for he was not more than two feet high. He was dressed in brown clothes and wore a peaked cap, and he must have been pretty old, for he had a full white beard. Although otherwise warmly clad, he wore on his feet neither shoes nor stockings and came hopping along through the deep snow as if his feet were very cold. When he saw this little old man, Jules said never a word. He merely thought to himself, this is some sort of a fairy man. But the little old person came close to Jules and drawing up one foot as if it was so cold that he could stand on it no longer. He said, please sir my feet are almost frozen. Oh-ho, thought Jules, I know all about that. This is one of the fairy folks who come in distressed to a person and who, if that person is kind to them, make him rich and happy. But if he turns them away, he soon finds himself in all sorts of misery. I shall be very careful. And then he said aloud, well sir, what can I do for you? That is a strange question, said the dwarf. If you were to walk by the side of a deep stream and were to see a man sinking in the water, would you stop and ask him what you could do for him? Would you like my stockings, said Jules, putting down his knife and sausage and preparing to pull off one of his boots? I will let you have them. No, no, said the other. They are miles too big for me. Will you have my cap or my scarf in which to wrap your feet and warm them? No, no, said the dwarf. I don't put my feet in caps and scarves. Well, tell me what you would like, said Jules. Shall I make a fire? No, I will not tell you, said the fairy man. You have kept me standing here long enough. Jules could not see what this had to do with it. He was getting very anxious. If he were only a quick-witted fellow, so as to think of exactly the right thing to do, he might make his fortune. But he could think of nothing more. I wish, sir, that you would tell me just what you would like for your cold feet, said Jules in an intriguing tone, for I shall be very glad to give it to you if it is at all possible. If your axe were half as dull as your brain, said the dwarf, you would not cut much wood. Good day! And he skipped away behind the woodpile. Jules jumped up and looked after him, but he was gone. These fairy people have a strange way of disappearing. Jules was not married and had no home of his own. He lived with a good couple who had a little house and an only daughter, and that was about the sum of their possessions. The money Jules paid for his living helped them a little, and they managed to get along. But they were quite poor. Jules was not poor. He had no one but himself to support, and he had laid by a sum of money to live on when he should be too old to work. But you never saw a man so disappointed as he was that evening as he sat by the fire after supper. He had told the family all about his meeting with the dwarf and lamented again and again that he had lost such a capital chance of making his fortune. If I only could have thought what it was best to do, he said again and again, I know what I should have done, said Selma, the only daughter of the poor couple, a girl about eleven years old. What? asked Jules eagerly. I should have just snatched the little fellow up and rubbed his feet and wrapped them in my shawl until they were warm, said she. But he would not have liked that, said Jules. He was an old man and very particular. I would not care, said Selma. I wouldn't let such a little fellow stand suffering in the snow, and I wouldn't care how old he was. I hope you'll never meet any of these fairy people, said Jules. You'd drive them out of the country with your roughness, and we might all whistle for our fortunes. Selma laughed and said no more about it. Every day after that Jules looked for the dwarf man, but he did not see him again. Selma looked for him too, for her curiosity had been much excited, but as she was not allowed to go to the woods in the winter, of course she never saw him. But at last summer came, and one day as she was walking by a little stream which ran through the woods, whom should she see sitting on the bank but the dwarf man? She knew him in an instant from Jules' descriptions. He was busily engaged in fishing, but he did not fish like anyone else in the world. He had a short pole which was floating in the water, and in his hand he held a string which was fastened to one end of the pole. When Selma saw what the old fellow was doing, she burst out laughing. She knew this was not very polite, but she could not help it. What's the matter? said he, turning quickly toward her. I'm sorry I laughed at you, sir, said Selma, but that's no way to fish. Much you know about it, said the dwarf. This is the only way to fish. You let your pole float with a piece of bait on a hook fastened to the big end of the pole. Then you fasten a line to the little end. When a fish bites, you haul in the pole by means of the string. Have you caught anything yet? asked Selma. No, not yet, replied the dwarf. Well, I'm sure I can fish better than that. Would you mind letting me try a little while? Not at all, not at all, said the dwarf, handing the line to Selma. If you think you can fish better than I can, do it by all means. Selma took the line and pulled in the pole. Then she unfastened the hook and bait which was on the end of the pole and tied it to the end of the line with a little piece of stone for a sinker. She then took up the pole, threw in the line and fished like common people. In less than a minute she had a bite and, giving a jerk, she drew out a fat little fish as long as her hand. Hoorah! cried the little old man, giving a skip in the air and then, turning away from the stream, he shouted, Come here! Selma turned around to see to whom he was calling and she perceived another gnome who was running toward them. When he came near, she saw that he was much younger than the Fisher gnome. Hello! cried the old fellow. I've caught one. Selma was amazed to hear this. She looked at the old gnome who was taking the fish off the hook as if she were astonished that he could tell such a falsehood. What is this other person's name? said she to him. His name, said the old gnome looking up, is Class Sixty H. Is that all the name he has? asked Selma in surprise. Yes, and it is a very good name. It shows just who and what he is. Well then, Mr. Class Sixty H, said Selma, that old person did not catch the fish. I caught it myself. Very good, very good, said Class Sixty H, laughing and clapping his hands. Capital. See here, said he, addressing the older dwarf, and he knelt down and whispered something in his ear. Certainly, said the old gnome, that's just what I was thinking of. Will you mention it to her? I must hurry and show this fish while it is fresh. And so saying, he walked rapidly away with the little fish and the pole and tackle. My dear miss, said Class Sixty H, approaching Selma, would you like to visit the home of the gnomes? To call, in fact, on the queen dowager of all the gnomes? Go down underground where you live? asked Selma. Would it be safe down there? And when could I get back again? Safe, dear miss. Oh, perfectly so. And the trip will not take you more than a couple of hours. I assure you that you will be back in plenty of time for supper. Will you go if I send a trusty messenger for you? You may never have another chance to see our country. Selma thought that this was very probable and she began to consider the matter. As soon as Class Sixty H saw that she was really trying to make up her mind whether or not to go, he cried out, Good, I see you have determined to go. Wait here five minutes and the messenger will be with you. And then he rushed off as fast as he could run. I didn't say I would go, thought Selma. But I think I will. In a very few minutes, Selma heard a deep voice behind her say, Well, are you ready? Turning suddenly, she saw standing close to her a great black bear. Frightened dreadfully, she turned to run. But the bear called out, Stop, you needn't be frightened. I'm tame. The surprise of hearing a bear speak overcame poor Selma's terror. She stopped and looked around. Come back, said the bear, I will not hurt you in the least. I am sent to take you to the Queen Dowager of the Gnomes. I don't mind you're being frightened at me, I'm used to it. But I am getting a little tired of telling folks that I am tame. And he yawned wearily. You are to take me? Said Selma, still a little frightened, And very certain that if she had known a bear was to be sent for her, She never would have consented to go. Yes, said the bear, You can get on my back and I will give you a nice ride. Come on, don't keep me waiting, please. There was nothing to be done but to obey, For Selma did not care to have a dispute with a bear, Even if he were tame. And so she got upon his back, Which she had a very comfortable seat, Holding fast to his long hair. The bear walked slowly but steadily Into the very heart of the forest, Among the great trees and the rocks. It was so lonely and solemn here, That Selma felt afraid again. Suppose we were to meet with robbers, Said she. Robbers, said the bear with a laugh. That's good. Robbers indeed. You needn't be afraid of robbers. If we were to meet any of them, You would be the last person they'd ever meet. Why? Asked Selma. I'd tear them all into little bits, Said the bear in a tone which quite restored Selma's confidence, And made her feel very glad that she had a bear To depend upon in those lonely woods. It was not very long before they came to an opening In a bank of earth behind a great tree. Into this the bear walked, For it was wide enough and so high That Selma did not even have to lower her head As they passed in. They were now in a long winding passage Which continually seemed as if it was just coming to an end, But which turned and twisted first one way and then another, And always kept going down and down. Before long they began to meet gnomes Who very respectfully stepped aside to let them pass. They now went through several halls and courts, Cut in the earth, And directly the bear stopped before a door. You get off here, said the bear, And when Selma had slid from his back, He rose up on his hind legs And gave a great knock with the iron knocker on the door. Then he went away. In a moment the door opened, And there stood a little old gnome woman, Dressed in brown and wearing a lace cap. Come in, she said, And Selma entered the room. The Queen Dowager will see you in a few minutes, Said the little old woman. I am her housekeeper. I'll go and tell her you're here, And meantime it would be well for you to get your answers already So as to lose no time. Selma was about to ask what answers she meant, But the housekeeper was gone before she could say a word. The room was a curious one. There were some little desks and stools in it, And in the center stood a great brown ball, Some six or seven feet in diameter. While she was looking about at these things, A little door in the side of the ball opened, And outstepped class sixty H. One thing I didn't tell you, said he hurriedly. I was afraid if I mentioned it you wouldn't come. The Queen Dowager wants a governess for her grandson, The gnome prince. Now please don't say you can't do it, For I'm sure you'll suit exactly. The little fellow has had lots of teachers, But he wants one of a different kind now. This is the school room. That ball is the globe where he studies his geography. It's only the under part of the countries that he has to know about, And so they are marked out on the inside of the globe. What they want now is a special teacher, And after having come here and had the Queen Dowager notified, It wouldn't do to back out you know. How old is the prince? asked Selma. About seventy eight, said the gnome. Why he's an old man, cried Selma. Not at all my dear miss, said class sixty H. It takes a long time for us to get old. The prince is only a small boy. If he were a human boy he would be about five years old. I don't look old, do I? No, said Selma. Well, I'm three hundred and fifty two next Monday, And as for class twenty P, the old fellow you saw fishing, He is nine hundred and sixty. Well, you are all dreadfully old, And you have very funny names, said Selma. In this part of the world, said the other, All gnomes except those belonging to the nobility and the royal family Are divided into classes and lettered. This is much better than having names, For you know it is very hard to get enough names to go around So that everyone can have his own. But here comes the housekeeper. And class sixty H retired very quickly into the hollow globe. Her majesty will see you now, said the housekeeper, And she conducted Selma into the next room, Where on a little throne with a high back and rockers Sat the queen Dowager. She seemed rather smaller than the other gnomes And was very much wrinkled and wore spectacles. She had white hair with little curls on each side And was dressed in brown silk. She looked at Selma over her spectacles. This is the applicant, said she. Yes, this is she, said the housekeeper. She looks young, remarked the queen Dowager. Very true, said the housekeeper. But she cannot be any older at present. You are right, said her majesty. We will examine her. So saying she took up a paper which lay on the table And which seemed to have a lot of items written on it. Get ready, said she to the housekeeper, Who opened a large blank book And made ready to record Selma's answers. The queen Dowager read from the paper the first question. What are your qualifications? Selma, standing there before this little old queen And this little old housekeeper, was somewhat embarrassed. And a question like this did not make her feel any more at her ease. She could not think what qualifications she had. As she did not answer at once, The queen Dowager turned to the housekeeper and said, Put down, asked, but not given. The housekeeper set that down. And then she jumped up and looked over the list of questions. We must be careful, said she in a whisper to the queen Dowager. What we ask her? It won't do to put all the questions to her. Suppose you try number 28. All right, said her majesty. And when the housekeeper had sat down again by her book, She addressed Selma and asked, Are you fond of children? Yes ma'am, said Selma. Good, cried the queen Dowager. That is an admirable answer. And the housekeeper nodded and smiled at Selma as if she was very much pleased. 82 would be a good one to ask next, suggested the housekeeper. Her majesty looked for 82 and read it out. Do you like pie? Very much ma'am, said Selma. Capital, capital, said her majesty. That will do. Instead of asking her any other questions, Do you, said she, turning to the housekeeper? None whatever, said the other. She answered all but one, and that one she didn't really miss. There is no necessity for any further bother, said the queen Dowager. She is engaged. Then she arose from the throne and left the room. Now my dear girl, said the housekeeper, I will induct you into your duties. They are simple. But I should like to know, said Selma, If I'm to stay here all the time. I can't leave my father and mother. Oh, you won't have to do that! Interrupted the housekeeper. You will take the prince home with you. Home with me, exclaimed Selma. Yes, it would be impossible for you to teach him properly here. We want him taught emergencies. That is, what to do in case of the various emergencies which may arise. Nothing of the kind ever arises down here. Everything goes on always in the usual way. But on the surface of the earth, where he will often go when he grows up, they are very common. And you have been selected as a proper person to teach him what to do when any of them occur to him. By the way, what are your terms? I don't know, said Selma. Whatever you please. That will suit very well, very well indeed, said the housekeeper. I think you are just the person we want. Thank you, said Selma. And just then a door opened and the Queen Dowager put in her head. Is she inducted? She asked. Yes, said the housekeeper. Then here is the Prince, said the Queen Dowager, entering the room and leading by the hand a young gnome about a foot high. He had on a ruffle jacket and trousers and a little peaked cap. His royal grandmother led him to Selma. You will take him, she said, for a session of ten months. At the end of that time we shall expect him to be thoroughly posted in emergencies. While he is away, he will drop all his royal titles and be known as Class 81 Q. His parents and I have taken leave of him. Goodbye. And she left the room with her little handkerchief to her eyes. Now then, said the housekeeper, the sooner you are off the better. The bear is waiting. So saying she hurried Selma and the Prince through the school room and when they opened the door there stood the bear already. Selma mounted him and the housekeeper handed up the Prince, first kissing him goodbye. Then off they started. The Prince, or as he must now be called, Class 81 Q, was a very quiet and somewhat bashful little fellow. And although Selma talked a good deal to him on the way, he did not say much. The bear carried them to the edge of the woods and then Selma took the little fellow in her arms and ran home with him. It may well be supposed that the appearance of their daughter with the young gnome in her arms greatly astonished the worthy cottagers. And they were still more astonished when they heard her story. You must do your best, my dear, said her mother, and this may prove a very good thing for you as well as for this little master here. Selma promised to do as well as she could and her father said he would try and think of some good emergencies so that the little fellow could be well trained. Everybody seemed to be highly satisfied, even Class 81 Q himself, who sat cross-legged on a wooden chair surveying everything about him. But when Jules Votterman came home, he was very much dissatisfied indeed. Confound it, he said when he heard the story. I should have done all this. That should have been my pupil, and the good luck should have been mine. The gnome man came first to me, and if he had waited a minute, I should have thought of the right thing to do. I could teach that youngster far better than you, Selma. What do you know about emergencies? Selma and her parents said nothing. Jules had been quite cross-grained since the 25th of January when he had met the gnome, and they had learned to pay but little attention to his fault-finding and complaining. The little gnome soon became quite at home in the cottage and grew very much attached to Selma. He was quiet but sensible and bright, and knew a great deal more than most children of five. Selma did not have many opportunities to educate him in her peculiar branch. Very commonplace things generally happened in the cottage. One day, however, the young gnome was playing with the cat and began to pull her tail. The cat, not liking this, began to scratch Class 81Q. At this, the little fellow cried and yelled while the cat scratched all the more fiercely. But Selma, who ran into the room on hearing the noise, was equal to the emergency. She called out instantly, Let go of his tail! The gnome let go, and the cat bounded away. The lesson of this incident was then carefully impressed on her pupil's mind by Selma, who now thought that she had at last begun to do her duty by him. A day or two after this, Selma was sent by her mother on an errand to the nearest village. As it would be dark before she returned, she did not take the little gnome with her. About sunset, when Jules Vaterman returned from his work, he found the youngster playing by himself in the kitchen. Instantly, a wicked thought rushed into the mind of Jules. Snatching up the young gnome, he ran off with him as fast as he could go. As he ran, he thought to himself, Now is my chance. I know what to do this time. I'll just keep this young rascal and make his people pay me a pretty sum for his ransom. I'll take him to the city, where the gnomes never go, and leave him there in safe hands while I come back and make terms. Good for you at last, Jules. So on he hurried as fast as he could go. The road soon led him into a wood, and he had to go more slowly. Poor little class 81Q cried and besought Jules to let him go, but the hard-hearted woodcutter paid no attention to his distress. Suddenly, Jules stopped. He heard something, and then he saw something. He began to tremble. A great bear was coming along the road directly toward him. What should he do? He could not meet that dreadful creature. He hesitated but a moment. The bear was now quite near, and at the first growl it gave, Jules dropped the young gnome and turned and ran away at the top of his speed. The bear started to run after him, not noticing little class 81Q, who was standing in the road. But as he passed the dwarf who had never seen any bear except the tame one which belonged to the gnomes, and who thought this animal was his old friend, the little fellow seized him by the long hair on his legs and began to climb up on his back. The bear, feeling some strange creature on him, stopped and looked around. The moment the young gnome saw the fiery eyes and the glittering teeth of the beast, he knew that he had made a mistake. This was no tame bear. The savage beast growled and, reaching back as far as he could, snapped at the little fellow on his back who quickly got over on the other side. Then the bear reached back on that side and class 81Q was obliged to slip over again. The bear became very angry and turned around and around in his efforts to get at the young gnome who was nearly frightened to death. He could not think what in the world he should do. He could only remember that in a great emergency, but not quite as bad a one as this, his teacher had come to his aid with the council, let go of his tail. He would gladly let go of the bear's tail, but the bear had none, at least none that he could see. What was he to do? Let go of his tail, cried the poor little fellow to himself. Oh, if he only had a tail! Before long the bear himself began to be frightened. This was something entirely out of the common run of things. Never before in his life had he met with a little creature who stuck to him like that. He did not know what might happen next, and so he ran as hard as he could go toward his cave. Perhaps his wife, the old mother bear, might be able to get this thing off. Away he dashed and, turning sharply around a corner, little class 81Q was jolted off and was glad enough to find himself on the ground with the bear running away through the woods. The little fellow rubbed his knees and elbows and, finding that he was not at all hurt, set off to find the cottage of his friend Selma as well as he could. He had no idea which way to go, for the bear had turned around and around so often that he had become quite bewildered. However, he resolved to trudge along hoping to meet someone who could tell him how to go back to Selma. After a while the moon rose and then he could see a little better, but it was still quite dark in the woods and he was beginning to be very tired when he heard a noise as if someone was talking. He went toward the voice and soon saw a man sitting on a rock by the roadside. When he came nearer, he saw that the man was Jules who was wailing and moaning and up-braiding himself. Ah, me, said the conscious stricken woodcutter. Ah, me, I am a wretch indeed. I have given myself up into the power of the evil one. Not only did I steal that child from his home and from the good people who have always befriended me, but I have left him to be devoured by a wild beast of the forest. Whatever shall I do? Satan himself has got me in his power through my own covetousness and greed. How, oh, how can I ever get away from him? The little gnome had now approached quite close to Jules and, running up to him, he said, Let go of his tail! If the advice was good for him in an emergency, it might be good for others. Jules started to his feet and stood staring at the youngster who he had thought devoured. Who ever would have supposed, said he at last, that a little heathen midget like that, born underground like a mole, would ever come to me and tell me my Christian duty. And he's right, too. Satan would never have got hold of me if I hadn't been holding to him all these months, hoping to get some good by it. I'll do it, my boy. I'll let go of his tail, now and forever. And, without thinking to ask, Class 81Q, how he got away from the bear, he took him up in his arms and ran home as fast as he could go. During the rest of the young gnome's stay with Selma, he had several other good bits of advice in regard to emergencies, but none that was of such general application as this council to let go of a cat's tail, or the tail of anything else that was giving him trouble. At the expiration of the session, the Queen Dowager was charmed with the improvement in her grandson. Having examined him in regard to his studies, she felt sure that he was now perfectly able to take care of himself in any emergency that might occur to him. On the morning after he left, Selma, when she awoke, saw lying on the floor the little jacket and trousers of her late pupil. At first, she thought it was the little fellow himself, but when she jumped up and took hold of the clothes, she could not move them. They were filled with gold. This was the pay for the tuition of Class 81Q. End of Chapter 6. Recording by Louise J. Bell. Sebastopol, California. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Becky Butler. The Floating Prince and Other Fairy Tales by Frank R. Stockton. Chapter 7. The Sprig of Holly. One Christmas, there was a great scarcity of Holly in that part of the country, where Colin and his little sister Dora lived. Everybody decorated their houses with Christmas greens, and as Holly branches and berries were particular favorites that year, Colin and Dora wished very much to get some to put up among the clusters of evergreens, which their father had arranged over the big fireplace in their parlor at home. But not a leaf or sprig of Holly could they find. I tell you, Dora, said Colin, we are too late. All the people have been out here and have picked every bit of Holly they could see. We are not to have waited so long. It is almost Christmas now, and of course the persons who wanted Holly came and got it a good while ago. I know one thing. I'm not going to put off picking Holly next year. I'm coming out into the woods before anybody else. Yes, indeed, said little Dora. They wanted so much to find some Holly that they did not give up the search, although they had been wondering about so long. They had found an evergreen bush with some berries on it, but it was not Holly. All at once Colin saw a fine twig of Holly with several great leaves and some berries, as red as ripe cherries, waving gently about by the side of a great tree. It seemed as if it must be the only sprig on some little bush. Without saying a word, Colin dashed forward toward the big tree, followed closely by little Dora. But when they reached the Holly, they found that it was not on a bush at all, but was held by a little dwarf who had been waving it over his head to attract their attention. Hello, cried the dwarf. Don't you want a nice sprig of Holly? Colin did not answer at first. He was much too astonished, and as for Dora, she just stood close to her brother, holding tight to his hand. The dwarf did not appear to be big enough to do them any harm, but he was such a strange creature that it is no wonder Colin hesitated before speaking to him. He wore a high cap, a funny little coat, and his breeches and shoes and stockings were all in one piece and fitted very tightly indeed. You do want some Holly, don't you? He said. Yes, said Colin. I want some very much. We have been looking everywhere for it, but couldn't find a bit. There isn't any more than this, said the dwarf. This is the last sprig in the whole forest, and it's splendid too. There's been no Holly like it in this country for years and years and years. Look what big leaves it has and see how bright and shiny they are. And what a fine bunch of berries is on it. It's very different from that piece of bush you have in your hand. That's not Holly. I know it isn't, said Colin, but I thought it might do, perhaps if we didn't find any real Holly. But it won't do, said the dwarf. Nothing will do for Holly but Holly. That's been settled long ago. You can have this if you'll pay me for it. How much do you want? asked Colin. One year of your life, said the dwarf. If Colin and Dora were astonished before, they were ever so much more astonished now. Why, what do you mean by that, standard Colin? I mean, said the dwarf, that for one year you are to belong to me and do everything I tell you to do. I won't agree to that, said Colin, who had now recovered his spirits. It's too much to ask. Yes indeed, said little Dora, clinging closer to her brother. Well then, said the dwarf, what do you say to six months? I will let you have the sprig for six months of your life. No, answered Colin. That's too much too. How would a month suit you? asked the dwarf. That's not a long time. Indeed, it is a long time, answered Colin. I should think it was a dreadfully long time. If I had to do everything you told me to do for a month. Yes indeed, said little Dora. Well then, said the dwarf, suppose I say a week. Nothing could be more reasonable than that. I'll let you have this splendid sprig of holly. The only one you can get anywhere. If you will agree to belong to me for only one week. No, said Colin. A day then, said the dwarf. I'll let you have it if you'll be mine for one day. Colin did not answer. He stopped to think. What could the dwarf want with him for one day? He might tell him to do something very hard and very wrong. Perhaps he would make him commit a burglary. That could be done in less than a day. While this conversation was going on, two little dwarfs, much smaller than the one with the holly sprig, were crouching behind a mound of earth on which the larger dwarf was standing and endeavoring in all sorts of ways to catch Dora's eye. They had a doll baby, which they held up between them, trying to make her look at it. They seemed unwilling to show themselves boldly. Probably because they were afraid of the larger dwarf, but they whispered as loud as they dared. Oh, little girl, don't you want this doll? It's a splendid one with wiggly legs and arms. You can have it for just one year of your life. Or if you will be ours for six months, you can take it. Look at it. You can have it for just one month of your life or a week, a short little week. But neither Dora nor Colin saw or heard these earnest little creatures and directly Colin looked up and said, No, I won't agree to it for a day. Well then, said the dwarf, I won't be hard on you. Will you agree to an hour? Colin thought that in an hour he might be made to do something he didn't like at all. Nobody could tell what these dwarfs could set a boy to doing. So he said, No, not an hour. A minute then, said the dwarf. Colin hesitated. That was not a long time, but he might be made to fire a gun or do something very dangerous in a minute. No, sir, said he. A second, cried the dwarf. I might strike Dora in a second, thought Colin. And he sung out, No, I won't. Well then, will you take it for nothing? asked the dwarf. Oh, yes, said Colin. I'll take it for nothing. Here it is, said the dwarf. And I'm very glad, indeed, to give it to you. Well, exclaimed Colin in surprise. You're a curious fellow, but I'm very glad to get the holly wherever so much obliged. Yes, indeed, said Dora, and she fairly jumped for joy. The two little dwarfs were now nearly frantic in their endeavors to make Dora look at their doll. They still were afraid to call out, but they whispered as loud as they could. Oh, little girl, look here. You can have this doll for one short week of your life, for a day, for an hour, one minute, a second, half a second, for one millionth part of a second, for the twenty millionth part of a half second, or for nothing at all. You can have it for nothing. But Dora heard not a word that they said and never looked at them. Why are you so glad to give me the holly? said Colin to the dwarf. But if you wanted me to have it, why didn't you give it to me at first? Oh, I couldn't do that. Said the little fellow. We always have to try to get all the work we can out of the boys we offer that holly to. And I'm glad you didn't make a bargain, because if you had, I don't know what in the world I should have set you to doing. I offered it to a boy last year, and he agreed to do what I told him for six months. He wouldn't engage for longer than that. For his summer holidays would begin at the end of that time. And I know he thought he'd rather work for me than go to school. Well, I had a dreadful time with that boy. After the first week or two, I couldn't think of a thing for him to do. He had done everything that I wanted. I would tell him to go and play. And he would come back in an hour or two and say, I've done playing. What shall I do next? And then I'd have to shake my fist at him as much as I could, and tell him that if he didn't go play and stay playing, I would do something dreadful to him. But, of course, that sort of thing wouldn't do very long. And so I had to find work for him until his time was up. It nearly wore me out. I think that if he had agreed for a year, it would have driven me crazy. But how did you come to have the holly sprig if this boy earned it? Asked Colin. Oh, the first thing I told him to do was to give me back that holly. We have to do that. Or else we couldn't keep on hiring boys. I called that cheating, said Colin. Yes, indeed, said little Dora. I suppose it is, said the dwarf. If you look at it in a certain light, but we won't talk about that now. You have the holly sprig and I have no right to ask you to give it back to me. You can take it home and I shall never see it again. Ray, goodbye. We made one jump backward behind the big tree and was gone. Colin and Dora now hurried home very happy indeed for no such sprig of holly had they ever seen as this which the dwarf had given them. It would look splendidly over the fireplace. The two little dwarves ran after them as fast as they could. Where had we got to? Said one to the other just as they caught up to Colin and Dora. We were at nothing, said the other. All right then, we won't go back on the bargain. Then they both ran in front of the children and holding up the doll between them they called out. Little girl, will you have this doll for nothing? Colin and Dora stopped short. This was truly a most astonishing sight. Look at its legs and arms, said the larger dwarf. See how they wiggle? You can make it sit down. Will you take it for nothing? Dora did not hesitate. Yes indeed, said she, the doll into her hands the little dwarves gave a wild shout and rushed away with the long tails which they had to their bonnets waving in the wind as they ran. The children then hurried home as fast as they could and when they had told their story and shown their gifts great was the surprise and delight of everybody for no one had ever seen such a large leaved and bright, buried sprig of holly as the one the dwarf gave Colin or so fine a doll with arms and legs as the one the little dwarves gave Dora. The thing that pleases me most about it all, said their father, is Colin's steady refusal to make a rash bargain even for a very short time. Colin, my boy, I think you ought to be trusted. Yes indeed, said little Dora, hugging her doll and looking proudly into her brother's face. End of Chapter 7 Recording by Becky Butler Chapter 8 The Magician's Daughter and the Highborn Boy He was a very wise and skillful magician as well as a kind and honest man and people of all degrees came to him to help him out of their troubles. But he gradually grew very old and at last he died. His only descendant was a daughter thirteen years of age named Filomena and everybody wondered what would happen now that the great magician was dead. But one day Filomena came out on the broad front steps of the castle and made it possible to do his bidding when some wonderful thing was to be accomplished. Now that my poor father is dead, said she, I think it is my duty to carry on the business. So you will all do what I tell you to do just as you used to obey my father. If any persons come who want anything to be done, I will do it. I will do it. If any persons come who want anything done, I will attend to them. The giants and fairies and all the others were very glad to hear Filomena say this, for they all liked her and they were tired of being idle. Then an afferent rose from the stunning stone on which she had been lying and said that there were six people outside of the gate who would come to see if there was a successor to the magician who could help them out of their trouble. You can bring them into the dim-lit vault, said Filomena, first I will go in and get ready for them. The dim-lit vault was a vast apartment with a vaulted ceiling where the old magician used to see the people who came to him. All around the walls or shelves and on stands and tables in various parts of the room were the strange and wonderful instruments of magic that he used. There was a great table in the room covered with parchment and old volumes of magic lore. At one end of the table was the magician's chair Filomena seated herself, first piling several cushions on the seat to make herself high enough. Now then, said she, to the afferent in attendance, everything seems ready, but you must light something to make a mystic smell. That iron lamp at the other end of the room will do. Do you know what to pour into it? The afferent did not know, but he thought he could find something so he examined the bottles on the shelves and taking down one of them he poured some of its contents into the lamp in an instant there was an explosion and a piece of the heavy lamp just grazed the afferent's head. Don't try that again, said Filomena, you will be hurt. Let a ghost come in, he can't be injured. So a ghost came in and he got another iron lamp and tried the stuff from another bottle. This blew up the same as the other and several pieces of the lamp went right through the ghost's body, but of course it made no difference to him. He tried again and this time he was extremely mystical. Now call them in, said Filomena and the six persons who were in trouble entered the room. Filomena took a piece of paper and a pencil and asked them in turn what they wished her to do for them. The first was a merchant in great grief because he had lost a lot of rubies and he wanted to know where to find them. How many of them were there? asked Filomena of the unlucky merchant. Two courts, said the merchant. I measured them a few days ago. Each of them was as large as a cherry. A big cherry? asked Filomena. Yes, said the merchant, the biggest kind of cherry. Well, said Filomena, putting all this down on her paper, you can come again in a week and I will see what I can do for you. The next was a beautiful damsel who had lost her lover. What kind of a person is he? asked Filomena. Oh, said the beautiful damsel, he is handsomer than tongue can tell, magnificent and splendid in every way. He is more graceful than a deer and stronger than a lion. His hair is like flowing silk and his eyes like the noonday sky. Well, don't cry anymore, said Filomena. I think we shall soon find him. There can't be many of that kind. Come again in a week, if you please. The next person was a covetous king who was very anxious to possess the kingdom next to his own. The only difficult to use this, he said, was his greedy eyes twinkling as he spoke. There was an old king on the throne and there was a very young heir, a mere baby. If they were both dead, I would be the next of kin and would have the kingdom. I don't want to have them killed instantly. I want something that will make them sicker and sicker and sicker till they die. Then you would like something suitable for a very old man and something for a very young child, said Filomena. That is exactly it, replied the covetous king. Well, said Filomena, come again in a week and I will see what I can do for you. The covetous king did not want to wait so long, but there was no help for it and he went away. Next came forward a young man who wanted to find out how to make gold out of old iron bars and horseshoes. He had tried many different plans but could not succeed. After him came a general who could never defeat the great armies which belong to the neighboring nations. He wished to get something which would ensure victory to his army. Each of these was told to come again in a week when his case would be attended to. The last person was an old woman who wanted to know a good way to make root beer. She had sold root beer for a long time but it was not very good and it made people feel badly so that her custom was falling off. It was really necessary, she said, for her to have a good business in order that she might support her sons and daughters and send her grandchildren to school. Poor woman, said Filomena, I will do my best for you. Do you live far away? Oh yes, said the old woman, a weary way. Well then I will have you taken home and I will send for you in a week. Thereupon, calling two tall giants, she told them to carry the old woman home in a sedan chair which they bore between them. When the visitors had all gone, Filomena called in her servants and read to them the list she had made. As for this merchant, she said, some of you gnomes ought to find his rubies. You are used to precious stones. Take a big cherry with you and try to find two courts of rubies that size. A dozen fairies can go and look for the handsome lover of the beautiful damsel. You'll be sure to know him if you see him. A genie can examine the general's army and see what's the matter with it. Four or five dwarfs, used to working with metals, can take some horseshoes and try to make gold ones of them. Do any of you know a good disease for a baby? An elf suggested rheumatism for the old person and Filomena herself thought of colic for the baby. Go and mix me, she said to an afferet, some rheumatism and some colic in a bottle. I'm going to make that greedy king take it himself. As for the root beer, she continued, those of you who think you can do it can take any of the stuff you find on the shelves here and try to make a good root beer out of it. Tomorrow we will see if any of you have made beer that is really good. I will give a handsome reward to the one who first finds out how it ought to be made. Thereupon, Filomena went up to her own room to take a nap, while quite a number of fairies, giants, dwarfs and others set to work to try and make good root beer. They made experiments with nearly all the decoctions and chemicals they found on the shelves or stored away in corners and they boiled and soaked and mixed and stirred until far into the night. It was a moonlight night and one of the gnomes went from the dim-lit vault where his companions were working away into the courtyard and there he met the ghost who was gliding around by himself. I'll tell you what it is, said the gnome. I don't want to be here tomorrow morning when that stuff is to be tasted. They're making a lot of dreadful messes in there. I'm going to run away till it's all over. It doesn't make any difference to me, said the ghost, for I wouldn't be asked to drink anything. But if you're going to run away, I'm going with you. I haven't got anything to do. So off the two started together out of the great gate. Hold up, soon cried the gnome who was running as fast as his little legs could carry him. Can't you glide slower? I can't keep up with you. You ought to learn to glide, said the ghost, languidly. It's ever so much easier than walking. When I'm all turned into faded smoke, said the gnome, a little crossly, now. So the ghost glided more slowly, and the two came to the cottage of a wizard and a witch who lived near the foot of the hill where they sometimes got odd jobs from the people who were going up to the magician's castle. As the wizard and his wife were still up, the gnome and his companion went in to see them and have a chat. How are you getting on, said the ghost as they all sat around the fire? Have you done much in canting lately? Not much, said the wizard. We thought we would get a good deal of business when the old man died, but the folks seemed to go up to the castle the same as ever. Yes, said the gnome, and there's rare work going on up there now. They're trying to make root beer for an old woman, and you never saw such a lot of poisonous trash as they have stewed up. They can't make root beer, sharply cried the witch. They don't know anything about it. There was only one person who has that secret, and that one is myself. He exclaimed the gnome, jumping from his chair. There's to be a reward for the person who can do it right, and reward, cried the witch, that I'm likely to tell it to you indeed. When you're all done trying, I'm going to get that reward myself. Then I suppose we might as well bid you good night, said the gnome, and he and the ghost took their departure. I'll tell you what it is, said the latter, wisely shaking his head. Those people will never prosper. True, said the gnome, and just at that moment they met a pigwigan who had been sent from the castle a day or two before on a long errand. He, of course, wanted to know where the gnome and the ghost were going, but when he heard their story, he said nothing but kept on his way. When he reached the castle, he found that all the beer had been made and that the busy workers had just brought out the various pots and jars into the courtyard to cool. The pigwigan took a sniff or two at the strange stuff in some of the jars and then he told about the gnome and the ghost running away. When he mentioned the reason of their sudden departure, the whole assemblage stood and looked at each other in dismay. I never thought of that, said a tall giant, but it's just what will happen. We shall have to taste those mixtures and I shouldn't wonder a bit if half of them turned out to be poison. I'm going. And so saying, he clapped on his hat and said, he was in the hall. In an instant, every giant, genie, dwarf, fairy, gnome, afferet, elf and the rest of them followed him out of the gate or over the wall and swarming down the hill they disappeared toward all quarters of the compass. All but one young hobgoblin. He had a faithful heart and he would not desert his mistress. He stayed behind and in the morning when she came down he told her what had happened. And they have all deserted me, she said sadly, but you. The hobgoblin bowed his head. His head was a great deal too large and his legs and arms were dangly, but he had an honest face. Perhaps they were wise, she said, looking into the pots and jars. It might have killed them. But they were cowards to run away instead of telling me about it. And I shall make you ruler of the household because you are the only faithful one. The hobgoblin was overwhelmed with gratitude and could scarcely say a word. But I can never get along without any of them, said Philomena. We must go and look for them. Some may not be far away. We will lock the gate and take the key. May I call you hob? The hobgoblin said she certainly might if she'd like it. Well then hob, she said, you must go and get a chair for we can't reach the big lock from the ground. So hob ran and got a chair and brought it outside. They pulled the gate shut and, standing on the chair, both using all their force, they turned the big key which the hobgoblin then took out and carried as they both walked away. You ought to be careful of the key, said Philomena, for if you lose it we shall not be able to get back. Haven't you a pocket? Not one big enough, said the hobgoblin, but you might slip it down my back. It would be safe there. So Philomena took the key so big that it reached along the hole of his spine and it was very cold, but he never said a word. They soon came to the cottage of the wizard and there they stopped to ask if anything had been seen of the runaways. The witch and the wizard received them very politely and said that they had seen a gnome and a ghost but no others. Then Philomena told how her whole household with the exception of the faithful hobgoblin had gone off and deserted her and when she had finished her story the witch had become very much excited. Drawing her husband to one side she said to him engage our visitors in conversation for a time. I will be back directly. So saying she went into a little back room jumped out of the window and ran as fast as she could to the castle. Just to think of it she said to herself as she hurried along that whole castle empty not a creature in it such a chance will never happen again. I can rummage among all the wonderful treasures of the old magician. I shall learn more than I ever knew in my life. In the meantime the wizard, who was a very kindly person talked to Philomena and the hobgoblin about the wonders of nature and told them of his travels in various parts of the earth all of which interested Philomena very much and as the hobgoblin was ever faithful to his mistress he became just as much interested as he could be. When the witch reached the castle she was surprised to find the great gate locked. She had never thought of that. I didn't see either of them have the key she said to herself and it is too big to put in anybody's pocket. Perhaps they've hidden it under the step. So she got down on her knees and groped about under the great stone before the gate but she found no key. Then she saw the chair which had been left by the gate. Oh-ho! she cried. That's it. They put the key on the ledge over the gate and had the chair to stand on. She then quickly set the chair before the gate and stood up on it but she could not yet reach the ledge so she got up on the back. She could now barely put her hands over the ledge and while she was feeling for the key the chair toppled and fell over leaving her hanging by her hands. She was afraid to drop for she thought she would hurt herself and so she hung, kicking and calling for help. Just then there came up a hippogriff who had become penitent and determined to return to his duty. He was amazed to see the witch hanging in front of the gate and ran up to her. Aha! he cried, trying to climb into our castle, are you? You're a pretty one. Oh, Mr. Hippogriff said the witch. I can explain it all to you if I can only get down. Please put that chair under me. I'll do anything for you if you will. The hippogriff reflected. What could she do for him? Then he thought that perhaps she knew how to make good root beer, so he said he would help her down if she would tell him how to make root beer. Never, she cried. I am going to get the reward for that myself, anything but that. Nothing but that will suit me, said the hippogriff, and if you don't choose to tell me I'll leave you hanging there until the giants and the aphrits come back and then you will see what you will get. This frightened the witch very much and in a few moments she told the hippogriff that if he would stretch up his long neck, she would whisper the secret in his ear. So he stretched up his neck and she told him the secret. As soon as he had heard it he put the chair under her and she got down and ran home as fast as she could. She reached the cottage none too soon for the wizard was finding it very hard to keep on engaging his visitors in conversation. Philomena now rose to go but the witch asked her to stay a little longer. I suppose you know all about your good father's business, said she, now that you are carrying it on alone. No, said Philomena, I don't understand it very well, but I try to do the best that I can. What you ought to do, said the witch, is to try to find one or two persons who understand the profession of magic and have been, perhaps, carrying it on in a small way themselves. Then they could do all the necessary magical work and you would be relieved of the trouble and worry. That would be very nice, said Philomena, if I could find such persons. Just then a splendid idea came into the head of the hobgoblin. Leaning toward his mistress he whispered, how would these two do? Good, said Philomena, and turning to the worthy couple she said, would you be willing to take the situation and come to the castle to live? The witch and the wizard both said they would be perfectly willing to do so. They would shut up their cottage and come with her immediately, if that would please her. Philomena thought that would suit exactly, and so the cottage was shut up and the four walked up to the castle, the witch assuring Philomena that she and her husband would find out where the runaways were as soon as they could get to work with the magical instruments. When they reached the gate and Philomena pulled the key from the hobgoblin's back, he said, if I had known that, she said to herself, I need not have lost the reward. All now entered the castle and the penitent hippogriff who had been lying in a shadow of the wall quietly followed them. The wizard and the witch went immediately into the dim-lit vault and began with great delight to examine the magical instruments. In a short time the wizard came hurrying to call Philomena. Here, he said, the room is a myth-summoner. With this you can bring back all your servants. You see these rows of keys of so many colors. Some are for fairies, some for giants, some for genii, and there are some for each kind of creature. Strike them, and you will see what will happen. Philomena immediately sat down before the keyboard of this strange machine and ran her fingers along the rows of keys. In a moment, from all directions, through the air and over the earth, came giants, fairies, affrits, genii, dwarves, gnomes, and all the rest of them. They did not wish to come, but there was nothing for them but instant obedience when the magic keys were struck which summoned them. They collected in the courtyard and Philomena stood in the doorway and surveyed them. Don't you all feel ashamed of yourselves? she said. No one answered, but all hung their heads. Some of the giants, great awkward fellows, blushed a little and even the ghost seemed ill at ease. You needn't be afraid of the beer now, she said. I'm going to have it all thrown away and you needn't have been afraid of it before. If any of you had been sick we would have stopped the tasting. As you all deserted me, except this good hobgoblin, I make him ruler of the household and you are to obey him. Do you understand that? All bowed their heads and he left them to their own reflections. The next time they run away, said the faithful hob, you can bring them back before they go. In a day or two the messengers which Philomena had sent out to look for the lost rubies and the lost lover to inquire into the reason why the general lost his battles and to try to find out how horseshoes could be changed into gold, returned and made their reports. They had not been recalled by the myth summoner because their special business in a magical manner disconnected them from the machine. The gnomes who had been sent to look for the rubies reported that they had searched everywhere but could not find two courts of rubies the size of cherries. They thought the merchant must have made a mistake and that he should have said currents. The dwarfs who had endeavored to make gold out of horseshoes simply stated that they could not do it. They had tried every possible method. The genie who had gone to find out why the general always lost his battles reported that his army was so much smaller and weaker than those of the neighboring countries that it was impossible for him to make a good fight. And the fairies who had searched for the lost lover said that there were very few persons, indeed, who answered to the description given by the beautiful damsel and these were all married and settled. Philomena, with the witch and the wizard, carefully considered these reports and determined upon the answers to be given to the applicants when they returned. The next day they rode into the courtyard of the castle a high-born boy. He was somewhat startled by the strange creatures he saw around him but he was a brave fellow and kept steadily on until he reached the castle door where he dismounted and entered. He was very much disappointed when he heard that the great magician was dead for he came to consult him on an important matter. When he saw Philomena he told her his story. He was the son of a prince but his father and mother had been dead for some time. Many of the people of the principality to which he was heir urged him to take his seat upon the throne because they had been so long without a regular ruler. While another large party thought it would be much wiser for him to continue his education until he was grown up when he would be well prepared to enter upon the duties of his high position. He had been talked to a great deal by the leaders of each of these parties and not being able to make up his mind as to what he should do. He had come here for advice. Is the country pretty well ruled now? asked Philomena after considering the matter a moment. Oh yes, answered the high-born boy. There are persons appointed by my father who govern everything all right. It's only the name of the thing that makes some of the people discontented. All the principalities in our neighborhood have regular princes and they want one too. I'll tell you what I would do, said Philomena. I would just keep on going to school and being taught things until I was grown up and knew everything that a prince ought to know. Then you could just manage your principality in your own way. Look at me. Here am I with a great castle and a whole lot of strange creatures for servants and people coming to know things and I can do hardly anything myself and have to get a wizard and a witch to come and manage my business for me. I'm sure I wouldn't get into the same kind of a fix if I were you. I don't believe, said the high-born boy, that I could have had any better advice than that from the very oldest magician in the world. I will do just what you have said. Philomena now took her young visitor around the castle to show him the curious things and when he heard of the people who were coming the next day to know what had been done for them he agreed to stay and see how matters would turn out. Philomena's accounts had made him very much interested in the various cases. At the appointed time all the persons who had applied for magical assistance and information assembled in the dim-lit vault. Philomena sat at the end of the table the high-born boy had a seat at her right while the witch and the wizard were at her left. The applicants stood at the other end of the table while the giants, aphorists and the rest of the strange household, grouped themselves around the room. Some of these cases, said Philomena, I have settled myself and the others I have handed over to these wise persons who are a wizard and a witch. They can attend to their patients first. The high-born boy thought that she ought to have said clients or patrons but he was too polite to speak of it. The wizard now addressed the merchant who had lost the rubies. How do you know that you lost two courts of rubies? said he. I know it replied the merchant because I measured them in two court pots. Did you ever use those pots for anything else? asked the wizard. Yes, said the merchant. I afterwards measured six courts of sapphires with them. Where did you put your sapphires when you had measured them? I poured them into a peck jar, said the merchant. Did they fill it? asked the wizard. Yes, I remember thinking that I might as well tie a cloth over the top of the jar for it would hold no more. Well then, said the wizard, as six courts of sapphires will not fill a peck jar, I think you will find your rubies at the bottom of the jar, where you probably poured them when you wished to use the court pots for the sapphires. I shouldn't wonder, said the merchant, I'll go right home and see. He went home and sure enough under the six courts of sapphires he found his rubies. As for you, said the wizard to the general who always lost his battles, your case is very simple. Your army is too weak. What you want is about twelve giants and this good young lady says she is willing to furnish them. Twelve giants, well armed with iron clubs, tremendous swords and long spears with which they could reach over motes and walls and poke the enemy, would make your army almost irresistible. Oh yes, said the general, looking very much troubled. That is all true. But think how much it would cost to keep a dozen enormous giants. They would eat more than all the rest of the army. My king is poor. He's not able to support twelve giants. In that case, said the wizard, war is a luxury which he cannot afford. If he cannot provide the means to do his fighting in the proper way, he ought to give it up and you and he should employ your army in some other way. Set the soldiers at some profitable work and then the kingdom will not be so poor. The general could not help thinking that this was very good advice and when he went home and told his story the king agreed with him. The kingdom lay between two seas and the soldiers were set to work to cut a canal right through the middle of the country from one sea to the other. Then the ships belonging to the neighboring kingdoms were allowed to sail through this canal and charge to heavy toll. In this way the kingdom became very prosperous and everybody agreed that it was a great deal better than carrying on wars and always being beaten. The wizard next spoke to the young man who wanted to know how to make gold out of horseshoes. I think you will have to give up your idea, he declared. The best metal workers here have failed in the undertaking and I myself have tried for many years to turn old iron into gold but never could do it. Indeed it is one of the things which magicians cannot do. Are you so poor that you are much in need of gold? Oh no, said the young man, I am not poor at all but I would like very much to be able to make gold whenever I please. The best thing you can do, said the wizard if you really wish to work in metals is to make horseshoes out of gold. This will be easier than the other plan and will not worry your mind so much. The young man stood aside. He did not say anything but he looked very much disappointed. This ended the wizard's cases and Philomena now began to do her part. She first called up the greedy king who wanted the adjoining kingdom. Here is a bottle, she said which contains a very bad disease for an old person and a very bad one for a child. Whenever you feel that you would like the old king and the young heir who stand between you and the kingdom you want take a good drink from the bottle. The greedy king snatched the bottle and as soon as he reached home he took a good drink and he had the rheumatism and the coloxobad that he never again wished to make anybody sick. As for you, said Philomena to the beautiful damsel who had lost her lover my fairy messengers have not been able to find any person such as you describe who is not married and settled so your lover must have married someone else and as you cannot get him I think the best thing you can do is to marry this young man who wanted to make horse use into gold. Of course, neither of you will get exactly what you came for but it will be better than going away without anything. The beautiful damsel and the young man stepped aside and talked the matter over and they soon agreed to Philomena's plan and went away quite happy. I'm dreadfully sorry said Philomena to the old woman who wanted to know how to make good root beer and who sat in the sedan chair which had been sent for her but we have tried our best to find out how to make good root beer and the stuff we brewed was awful. I have asked this learned witch about it and she says she does not now possess the secret. I have also offered a reward to anyone who can tell me how to do it but no one seems to want to try for it. At this moment the penitent hippogriff came forward from a dark corner where he had been sitting and said I know what you must use to make good root beer what is it? asked Philomena roots said the hippogriff that's perfectly correct said the witch if a person will use roots instead of all sorts of drugs and strange decoctions they will make root beer that is really good a great joy crept over the face of the old woman and again and again she thanked Philomena for this precious secret the two giants raised her in her sedan chair and bore her away to her home where she immediately set to work for the root beer from roots her beer soon became so popular that she was enabled to support her sons and daughters in luxury and to give each of her grandchildren an excellent education when all the business was finished and the penitent hippogriff had been given his reward Philomena said to the high-born boy now it is all over and everybody has had something done for him or for her no said the other you ought not to be left here alone with all these creatures you may be used to them but I think they're horrible you gave me some advice which was very good and now I'm going to give you some which perhaps you may like I think you ought to allow this wizard and this witch who seemed like very honest people to stay here and carry on the business then you could leave this place and go to school and learn all the things that girls know who don't live in old magical castles after a while when you were grown up and I am grown up we could be married and we could both rule over my principality what do you think of that plan I think it would be very nice said Philomena and I really believe I will do it it was exactly what she did do the next morning her white horse was brought from the castle stables and side by side and amid the cheers and farewells of the giants the dwarfs, the gnomes the fairies, the aphrets the genii, the pigwidgens the witch, the wizard the ghosts, the penitent hippogriff and the faithful hobgoblin Philomena and the high-born boy rode away to school End of chapter 8