ll get a few crumbs for it within."

So saying, the good woman bustled into the cottage. She soon came out
again, but Hans had forgotten to wait, and the rabbit, after taking
a cool survey of the premises, had scampered off to unknown quarters.
Turning the corner of the cottage, Dame Brinker came upon the children.
Hans and Gretel were standing before Annie, who was seated carelessly
upon a stump.

"That is as good as a picture!" cried Dame Brinker, halting in
admiration of the group. "Many a painting have I seen at the grand house
at Heidelberg not a whit prettier. My two are rough chubs, Annie, but
YOU look like a fairy."

"Do I?" laughed Annie, sparkling with animation. "Well, then, Gretel and
Hans, imagine I'm your godmother just paying you a visit. Now I'll grant
you each a wish. What will you have, Master Hans?"

A shade of earnestness passed over Annie's face as she looked up at him;
perhaps it was because she wished from the depths of her heart that for
once she could have a fairy's power.

Something whispered to Hans that, for a moment, she was more than
mortal. "I wish," said he solemnly, "that I could find something I was
searching for last night!"

Gretel laughed merrily. Dame Brinker moaned. "Shame on you, Hans!" And
she went wearily into the cottage.

The fairy godmother sprang up and stamped her foot three times.

"Thou shalt have thy wish," said she. "Let them say what they will."
Then, with playful solemnity, she put her hand in her apron pocket and
drew forth a large glass bead. "Bury this," said she, giving it to Hans,
"where I have stamped, and ere moonrise thy wish shall be granted."

Gretel laughed more merrily than ever.

The godmother pretended great displeasure.

"Naughty child," said she, scowling terribly. "In punishment for
laughing at a fairy, THY wish shall not be granted."

"Ha!" cried Gretel in high glee, "better wait till you're asked,
godmother. I haven't made any wish!"

Annie acted her part well. Never smiling, through all their merry
laughter, she stalked away, the embodiment of offended dignity.

"Good night, fairy!" they cried again and again.

"Good night, mortals!" she called out at last as she sprang over a
frozen ditch and ran quickly homeward.

"Oh, isn't she just like flowers--so sweet and lovely!" cried Gretel,
looking after her in great admiration. "And to think how many days she
stays in that dark room with her grandmother. Why, brother Hans! What is
th