148 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

good-humored, particularly just after a hearty
meal of his favorite dish of ‘ grubs on toast.”
The king, however, tried to look as stern as
possible, and drew his hand over his face to
give the lines a downward curve. When
Wassa was placed before him he looked at her
for a while in silence, to impress her with his
dignity, and then addressed her thus : —
“This time, my dear, thou’st come to stay,

So says the little man in gray ;

And trials great must be endured

Until of envy thou art cured.

For there’s no fault beneath the sun

That does more harm than this same one.

The best way is, to draw it mild,

To be the nurse of a spoiled child.

What ho there, gnomes! I pray thee bring

The fairy prince before the king.”

One of the gnomes quickly disappeared, and
immediately were heard loud outcries like
those made by self-willed children, and in a
moment the gnome reappeared, bearing in his
arms the fairy prince, who was screaming and
struggling to free himself.

‘The oe frowning upon the gnome, said: —

“ Hey dey! hey dey! what i is all this?
And what is it that’s gone amiss?”