The. Dwarf Woman 181
door they have not seen, and leave them
outside. -That wild beast of theirs will take
care of them; and when we have got rid of
all this foolishness, it is to be hoped things
may settle down again. That is, if you ever
can learn common-sense.”

‘“ How clever he is!” said his wife admir-
ingly ; and just at that moment no one con- ©
tradicted her, for they were in a tremendous
hurry to do exactly as he told them. The
children’s eyes were bandaged, they were
hastened along passages, and round corners,
and up and down steps, until at last they
were told to go on their hands and knees,
and felt the sweet air of the outer world
upon their faces. Barthel shouted for joy;
but the dwarfs would not yet allow them to
see. They were led some way on the short
grass, and were begged to wait until they
had counted fifty, and then they might tear
off the bandages. Bart kept to this honour-
ably, so that when at last they looked, there
was only the mountain side, and not a sign
of a dwarf or a door.