arvelous how thick the hedge proved. Only a magic sword could
have done this work and remained sharp, and only a fairy arm could have
proved strong enough to hew through the tough wood. But the magic
sword and fairy arm were at work, and naught could resist them.

After a time the last branches were severed and dragged from the path,
and then the travelers rode their horses through the gap into the
unknown country beyond.

They saw at first glance that it was a land of great beauty; but after
that one look both Prince Marvel and Nerle paused and rubbed their
eyes, to assure themselves that their vision was not blurred.

Before them were two trees, exactly alike. And underneath the trees
two cows were grazing--each a perfect likeness of the other. At their
left were two cottages, with every door and window and chimney the
exact counterpart of another. Before these houses two little boys were
playing, evidently twins, for they not only looked alike and dressed
alike, but every motion one made was also made by the other at the same
time and in precisely the same way. When one laughed the other
laughed, and when one stubbed his toe and fell down, the other did
likewise, and then they both sat up and cried lustily at the same time.

At this two women--it was impossible to tell one from the other--rushed
out of the two houses, caught up the two boys, shook and dusted them in
precisely the same way, and led them by their ears back into the houses.

Again the astonished travelers rubbed their eyes, and then Prince
Marvel looked at Nerle and said:

"I thought at first that I saw everything double, but there seems to be
only one of YOU."

"And of you," answered the boy. "But see! there are two hills ahead of
us, and two paths lead from the houses over the hills! How strange it
all is!"

Just then two birds flew by, close together and perfect mates; and the
cows raised their heads and "mooed" at the same time; and two men--also
twins--came over the two hills along the two paths with two
dinner-pails in their hands and entered the two houses. They were met
at the doors by the two women, who kissed them exactly at the same time
and helped them off with their coats with the same motions, and closed
the two doors with two slams at the same instant.

Nerle laughed. "What sort of country have we got into?" he asked.

"Let us find out," replied the prince, and riding up to one of the
houses he knocked on the door wit