out his
forefinger, and Ting-a-ling, mounting it, was carried round before the
Giant's face, where he proceeded to relate the misfortunes of the two
lovers, in his most polished and affecting style.

The Giant listened with much attention, and when he had done, said,
"Ting-a-ling, I feel a great interest in all young people, and will do
what I can for this truly unfortunate couple. But I must finish my nap
first, otherwise I could not do anything. Please jump down on the table
and eat something, while I go to sleep for a little while."

So saying, he put Ting-a-ling gently down upon the table. But this young
gentleman, having a dainty appetite, did not see much that he thought he
would like; but, cutting a grain of rice in two, he ate the half of it,
and then laid down on a napkin and went to sleep.

When Tur-il-i-ra awoke, he remembered that it was time to be off, and,
waking Ting-a-ling, he took out his great purse, and placed the little
fairy in it, where he had very comfortable quarters, as there was no
money there to hurt him.

"Don't forget my wagon when you get to the gate," said Ting-a-ling,
sleepily, rolling himself up for a fresh nap, as the Giant closed the
purse with a snap. Tur-il-i-ra, having put on his hat, went down-stairs,
and crossed the court-yard in a very few steps. When he had closed the
great gates after him, he bethought himself of Ting-a-ling's turn-out,
which the fairy had mentioned as being tied to the hinge. Not being able
to see anything so minute at the distance of his eyes from the ground,
he put on his spectacles, and getting upon his hands and knees, peered
closely about the hinges.

"O! here you are," said he, and, picking up the butterfly and wagon, he
put them in his vest pocket--that is, all excepting the butterfly's
head. That remained fast to the hinge, as the Giant forgot he was tied.
Then our lofty friend set off at a smart pace for the King's castle; but
notwithstanding his haste, it was dark when he reached it.

"Come now, young man," said he, opening his purse, "wake up, and let us
get to work. Where is that Prince you were talking about?"

"Well, I'm sure I don't know," said Ting-a-ling, rubbing his eyes. "But
just put me up to that window which has the vine growing beneath it.
That is the Princess's room, and she can tell us all about it."

So the giant took him on his finger, and put him in the window. There,
in the lighted room, Ting-a-ling beheld a sight which gr