28 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [1.

but tell us! We quite trust you, but we really don’t
know what to do next.’

With these words they gazed upwards with such
a beseeching air that mortal squirrel could hardly have
resisted them. The squirrels, being but mortal, were
quite unable to do so; and both ran down the tree
again without a moment’s hesitation, and seating
themselves upon the same branch from which they
had previously addressed the sisters, began to sing as
follows :—

Follow the stream till you come to a mound

Where pigs and wild strawberries greatly abound :

Tis there you will find your best friend in the wood,
Who hates what is evil and follows the good.

Call him once ; call him twice ; by the name you have heard,
And add to that name just one magical word :

© Ri-too-ri-lal-lural’—remember it well !

For Dwarfs—aye, and Giants, must bow to the spell.
Now, plague us no more with your ‘ifs’ and your ‘buts,’
For squirrels hate trouble as much as bad nuts,

The one hurts the teeth, and the other the heart,

So list to our counsel, and haste to depart !

‘Well done, Rindelgrover!’—and with these words
the squirrels jumped up again, and recommenced their
gambols as if nobody was there and no business but
their own had to be thought of.

The sisters eagerly listened to every word which
had fallen from the little animals; and having now
received clear and definite instructions, resolved to
follow them without delay. Rising from their seats
upon the bank, they followed the course of the little
stream, earnestly looking out for the place which the
squirrels had indicated to them as the abode of their