ied a head much larger and thicker than that of others.
He lived all alone in a large house, and even cooked for himself;
moreover, it would not have been known in the city whether he was
alive or dead, (for he went forth but once in four weeks,) had not
every day, about the hour of noon, strong fumes come forth from the
house. Nevertheless, in the evening he was often to be seen walking to
and fro upon his roof; although, from the street, it seemed as if it
were his head alone that was running around there.

I and my comrades were wicked fellows, who teased and ridiculed every
one; accordingly, to us it was a holiday when the Little Muck went
forth: on the appointed day we would assemble before his house, and
wait for him to come out. When, then, the door opened, and at first
the immense head and still larger turban peered forth, when the rest
of the body followed covered with a small cloak which had been
irregularly curtailed, with wide pantaloons, and a broad girdle in
which hung a long dagger, so long that one could not tell whether Muck
was fastened to the dagger, or the dagger to Muck--when in this guise
he came forth, then would the air resound with our cries of joy; then
would we fling our caps aloft, and dance round him, like mad. Little
Muck, however, would salute us with a serious bow, and walk with long
strides through the street, shuffling now and then his feet, for he
wore large wide slippers, such as I have never elsewhere seen. We boys
would run behind him, crying continually, "Little Muck! Little Muck!"
We also had a droll little verse, which we would now and then sing in
his honor; it ran thus:--

"Little Muck, oh Little Muck!
What a fine, brave dwarf art thou!
Livest in a house so tall;
Goest forth but once a month,
Mountain-headed, though so small.
Turn thyself but once, and look!
Run, and catch us, Little Muck."

In this way had we often carried on our sport, and, to my shame, I
must confess that I took the most wicked part in it, for I often
plucked him by the mantle, and once trod from behind on his large
slippers, so that he fell down. This was, at first, a source of the
greatest amusement to me, but my laughter soon ceased when I saw the
Little Muck go up to my father's house; he walked straight in, and
remained there some time. I concealed myself near the door, and saw
Muck come forth again, escorted by my father, who respectfully shook
his hand, and with