THE LITTLE GRAY MAN’S DECISION. 225

CHAPTER XVII.

THE LITTLE GRAY MAN’S DECISION.

The elf looked very tiny as he stood before
the giant king, who still reclined on the grass,
resting his head on his hand; and even in this
position the elf was obliged to look upward to
see the giant’s face.

“Come a little nearer, friend elf,” said the
giant good-naturedly as he reached out one
of his fingers. Toto immediately jumped
astride the great finger, and was thus brought
on a level with the giant’s face.

“Come, my little man, let us now hear the
result of thy visit to the dwarf king. What
said he?”

With a very serious expression on his rosy
little face, the elf replied : —

“ Rondo, great king, is nearly wild
With grief at loss of his fair child ;
No sleep by night, no food by day
Since the dear child was stolen away.

To all thy terms he will agree
His cherished son and heir to see.