asted quite harmless.

Whilst he was eating his cake, there was a knock at the door of the hut,
and in came a smart fox, wearing a red cap with green feather, and a
jaunty coat and waistcoat.

"Heigho! How fine you are, Mr Fox," said the old woman, "I suppose you
are going to the ball to-night?"

"O yes, of course, I am going to be there early. Miss Bushy Tail has
promised to be my partner for the Polonaise," he said. "I hope you have
a cup of coffee ready for me." He then sat down, and peered at Walter
with his bright, inquisitive eyes. Now everyone knows that the foxes
dance on the Feldberg on May Day. On one of the biggest fir-trees there
hangs a picture of two foxes dancing, and these cross-roads have thence
derived their name Fuchstanz. But they do not only dance on May Day, but
on many other occasions such as the present. Walter had often wished
that he could see them at their sports.

Presently there was a scratching at the window, and in came a squirrel
in a great hurry with a bag of nuts slung over his shoulder. He
disturbed the great black cat who was asleep on the window-sill, and she
bristled with rage, and swore at him; but he took no notice, and was off
again in a jiffy, after having drunk a tiny little glass of milk which
stood all ready for him on the table. The squirrels were very busy; for
a great many nuts were required for the feast, and they had been turning
out their store cupboards.

A little hare peeped shyly in at the door. "Hullo!" he said. "Fine
doings at the castle to-night. I am carrying up a basket or so of Easter
Eggs. They are sure to please the Old King," and off he went.

"Is he really the Easter Hare?" asked Walter; but no one answered his
question.

The old woman smiled mysteriously. When Walter had finished his coffee,
she said: "Now my little dear, you must be off as well, or you will be
late at the castle. It is a great privilege for you to be invited; it is
long since the Old King has sent for a mortal child."

"But did he send for me?" said Walter, astonished.

"Why of course, or how could you have got here alone," said the fairy.
"But be very polite and answer nicely when spoken to, or the Old King
might be angry, and when he is angry the whole mountain shakes, and I
crouch and tremble in my little hut. But now let us see if I have not
got something fine for you," so speaking she pulled out a sack of toys
that stood in a dark corner and gave Walter a cart and horse. At