The Dwarf Woman nest

and indeed when they stopped, and the
dwarf woman saw all that had been done,
she was very proud of her people’s clever-
ness. They had enlarged the door to twice
its size, and posted it open, so that the glow
of the pine-torches made a cheerful welcome ;
and outside stood a double line of young
dwarfs, very smart-looking in their leather
jerkins with red caps and red boots, and
each carrying a silver axe. They had been
chosen for the king’s body-guard, and drilled
until they hardly knew whether they stood
on their heads or their heels. Bart was
extremely interested.

“Dear me,” he said to the dwarf woman,
‘are these all your family?”

“A few of the neighbours come to meet
you, sir. Pray, walk in.” For she prided
herself on her good manners, and Barthel
and Joan were much struck with them.

So they went down the steps, Joan carrying
Ju-Ju, lest he should be frightened. Each
moment things became more exciting, and
the children were so taken up with the