236 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

The giants, a moment before so turbulent
and ferocious, now stood like lambs before
their master. Very stern was the countenance
of the little man in gray as he looked at the
great fellows with their powerful bodies and
childish brains. For some time he regarded
them in silence, then, with bent brows and up-
lifted finger, he spoke: —

“Ts this the way ye keep the peace, ye great
blundering fellows? Have ye so soon forgot-
ten the compact ?”’

“ Master,” answered Cloudcatcher humbly,
“we had sore grievance. A trick, a most das-
tardly trick, was played against us. The dwarf
prince—”

“Enough!” cried the little gray man angrily.
“Ye have shown that my gnomes and ye
cannot dwell in peace together, therefore
must ye part. Rondo, come hither,” he
added, beckoning to the gnome king, who at
once approached and made a low obeisance,
“ Henceforth shalt thou keep well to thy do-
mains within the hill. Extend thy realms as
far underground as thou wilt, but seek not to
attempt thy mischievous pranks above ground,
else thou shalt forfeit thy fairy domains, and