550 LITTLE MAJA,

her how he had torn his wing on a bramble bush, and had
therefore not been able to fly as fast as the other swallows, who
had flown far away to warmer lands; so at last he fell to the
ground, but could not recollect what happened afterwards, nor
how he came there.

‘The swallow remained below during the whole winter, and
Maja nursed him carefully, and was very fond of him; but
neither the mole nor the fieldmouse knew anything about it,
for they could not bear swallows, As soon as spring returned,
and the sun began to warm the earth, the swallow bid
Maja farewell, and she opened the hole the mole had once
made in the ceiling to let him out. The sun shone upon them
so brightly, the swallow asked if she would go with him,
as she could sit on his back, and they might fly far away into
the green forest; but Maja knew it would vex the fieldmouse
ifshe were to Jeave her in that manner. “No, I cannot,”
said little Maja. “ Farewell, farewell! you kind and pretty
girl!” said the swallow, flying out into the broad sunshine.
Maja looked after him, and tears rose to her eyes, for she had
a kindly fecling for the poor swallow. “ Twit! twit!” sang
the bird as he flew about in the green woods. Little Maja was
very sad; she was not allowed to go out into the warm sun-
shine. The corn that had been sown in the field over the
ficldmouse’s dwelling had now grown to be tall, and formed
quite a thick forest to the poor little maiden who was only an
inch high.

“You are going to be married, little Maja,” said the field-
mouse ; “my neighbour has asked for your hand. Only think
what a piece of luck for a poor girl! “Now you must think of
making your wedding outfit ; both woollen and linen clothes
must you have when you are the mole’s wife.” So Maja was
obliged to spin away, and the fieldmouse hired four spiders to