h, and
his right he held over his eyes so as to look towards Honey-Bee and the
light.

"King Loc," said the forest dwarfs, "we have brought you the beautiful
child we have found; her name is Honey-Bee."

"You have done well," said King Loc. "She shall live amongst us
according to the custom of the dwarfs."

"Honey-Bee," he said, approaching her, "you are welcome." He spoke very
gently, for he already felt very kindly towards her. He lifted himself
on the tips of his toes to kiss her hand that hung at her side, and he
assured her not only that he would do her no harm, but that he would try
to gratify all her wishes, even should she long for necklaces, mirrors,
stuffs from Cashmere and silks from China.

"I wish I had some shoes," replied Honey-Bee. Upon which King Loc struck
his lance against a bronze disc that hung on the surface of the rock,
and instantly something bounded like a ball out of the depths of
the cavern. Increasing in size it disclosed the face of a dwarf with
features such as painters give to the illustrious Belisarius, but his
leather apron proclaimed that he was a shoemaker. He was indeed the
chief of the shoemakers.

"True," said the king, "choose the softest leather out of our
store-houses, take cloth-of-gold and silver, ask the guardian of my
treasures for a thousand pearls of the finest water, and with this
leather, these fabrics, and these pearls create a pair of shoes for the
lady Honey-Bee."

At these words True threw himself at the feet of Honey-Bee and measured
them with great care.

"Little King Loc," said Honey-Bee, "I want the pretty shoes you promised
at once, because as soon as I have them I must return to Clarides to my
mother." "You shall have the shoes," King Loc replied; "you shall have
them to walk about the mountain, but not to return to Clarides, for
never again shall you leave this kingdom, where we will teach you
wonderful secrets still unknown on earth. The dwarfs are superior to
men, and it is your good fortune that you are made welcome amongst
them."

"It is my misfortune," replied Honey-Bee. "Little King Loc, give me a
pair of wooden shoes, such as the peasants wear, and let me return to
Clarides."

But King Loc made a sign with his head to signify that this was
impossible. Then Honey-Bee clasped her hands and said, coaxingly:

"Little King Loc, let me go and I will love you very much."

"You will forget me in your shining world."

"Little King Loc, I will nev