100 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

man with a comical peaked cap and a long
beard standing before her.
« Pray step within and look around.
What each deserves, that will be found,”
said the gnome, with a mischievous twinkle of
the eyes:

Wassa stepped over the threshold, and the
heavy door of rock rolled back into place.

“This must be but the entrance to the
beautiful light cave Mona spoke of,” thought
Wassa as she stumbled over a stone that in
the dim light she had not seen.

“IT want some of the shining stones and
pretty flowers thou gav’st to Mona,” said
Wassa, and take me to the same beautiful
places to which thou hast taken her.”

The gnome replied : —

‘“‘ First ask permission of our king ;
Without that thou canst do no thing.”

“Then take me quickly to him,” said Wassa,
“for I don’t want to stay any longer in this
poky old place.”

“ Look where thou step and follow me,
And soon King Rondo thou shalt see,”

said the gnome.