ream leapt
over a little group of rocks. The dwarfs held their buckets under the
cascade, and caught some drops. The drops turned into silver fish, each
with a little loop on the end of its tail, all ready to hang on the
tree.

They then took Hansi's pine cones and ferns and grasses, and even
collected the frozen cobwebs from the bushes and let the spray from the
waters fall on them, and lo and behold the most exquisite gems were
ready for the decoration of the Christmas tree.

"You live at No 7, and you are seven years old," said the eldest of the
dwarfs, addressing Hansi. ("However _could_ he have known that?" she
thought.) "Perhaps you can tell me what seven times seven makes?"

Hansi considered a moment. "No, we have not got so far as that in our
arithmetic," she replied. "_Twice_ seven is fourteen, that I know."

"Seven times seven is forty-nine and is the square of seven," said the
dwarf. "Always remember that, for it is a most important fact in
magic!"

Rummaging in his pocket, he took out a note-book and handed a leaf to
her with this diagram and inscription on it

To Hansi
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
well-wisher . . . . . . . from her
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
friend and

_Signed_--HIMSELF!

"Thank you _very_ much," said Hansi, feeling duly impressed, and she
never forgot this difficult fact in the multiplication table again,
although she didn't quite understand the diagram, and in fact lost it on
the way home.

The dwarfs set up the tree on a clear part of the path, and made a
little stand for it of boughs cleverly intertwined and moss between.
With many a hop, skip and jump of delight, they hung the silver fish and
cones and nuts on it; the cobwebs spread themselves out all over the
tree. Then they took red holly berries, and stuck them on the boughs
where they turned into red candles. All red and silver was this
loveliest of Christmas trees!

When it was finished, there was a momentary thrill, and they all cried
"Ah!" in tones of wonder.

Then Hansi noticed that a noble herd of deer had approached; the gentle
creatures were looking on with the deepest interest.

The woodbirds came flying from all directions, and sang as if it were
summer.

"Dear little men, I think I really ought to be going home," said Hansi
a