(28 CHRISTMAS IN SWITZERLAND.

had also been newly papered, and had a nice new carpet of
a common but strong and useful sort.

Everything appeared to have been changed, as if by magic,
from being old and worn-out, to new and strong, and there
was an air of comfort about the whole place which was
perfectly delightful.

Nor did the wonders cease Here They opened the door.
which led into the kitchen behind the living-room, and a sight
met their eyes which caused them both to start back. with
astonishment. There, indeed, was the kitchen, the same as
ever, but the grate was evidently new; new saucepans, a bright
and clean row, hung by the side of the wall; a new set of
crockery was ranged upon the shelves ; ti even the big
kitchen poker was bright and clean, and evidently prepared to
start upon a new life, fit for any work that might be
required of him.

But, more marvellous than all, in the middle of the kitchen,
as much at home as if it had been born and bred there, stood
the identical table ‘which had borne the welcome meal which
Marie and her grandfather had enjoyed under the Fairy’s
beech-tree — yes! there was no mistake about it —and a neat,
white tablecloth upon it, marked in the corner “F. F.,” which
plainly stood for “Forest Fairy,” showed whence it came.
Nor was the table empty —the remainder of that noble sirloin
of beef was there, and the magnificent pudding stood by its
side, so tempting as almost to induce the old man to attack
it again, at once. There it was, and there were the knives and
_ forks they had used in the forest, and the very crumbs of the
bread and cheese they had left,— even the sausages and potatoes
had ‘not been forgotten; for the table seemed to have been
transported just as it was, from beneath the beech-tree, except