134 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

“Will is a tricky fellow,” said the judge. “I
wonder the little maid did not know better than
to follow him. Thou art brave and good-
natured, beetle, and I will try to help thee ;”
and the judge’s countenance grew quite mild
as he gazed at the little beetle.

Judge Owl sat for a few moments lost in
thought, with one eye closed and the other
wide open. He could think much better thus,
and it gave hima look of great wisdom. The lit-
tle brown beetle himself was greatly awed by it.

“Ha! I have it!” exclaimed the judge
after a long pause, and he repeated solemnly
these lines : —

“Tet all men by these presents know,
That the land of the After- glow
Sends back from the hill so blue
Rosy rays of the sunset hue.”

“Now,” said Judge Owl, when he had fin-
ished, and in his most pompous manner, “what
is clearer than that?”

“Very clear indeed, and I thank thee with all
my heart,” replied the brown beetle gratefully.
“It was very stupid of me not to think of it
before.”