le uneasy.

However she had _at the bottom of all_ a comfortable feeling that all
was right. This is the way with many of our self-imposed troubles, big
people's as well as little people's. We groan and grumble, and express
our views that everything is very wrong, and the world is soon going to
the dogs, but _at the bottom of all_, we know that it is all right, and
that all things work together for good.

Green Ears began to fidget; he was like a little girl I know, and
_could_ not sit still for more than one minute.

"Frau Holle," he said, "Frau Holle, Gracious Lady, we want to get
engaged."

Frau Holle burst out laughing: "A mortal child and a Kobold of the
forest! nonsense, it's impossible!"

Kaethchen lifted up her brown eyes. "We might play at it," she said. "It
would be a beautiful game."

Frau Holle chuckled so much at this that she nearly upset the milk jug.

"How _do_ people get engaged?" said Kaethe. "I have often thought about
it, but I never could imagine how they do it?"

"Didn't they teach you that at school either?" said Green Ears. "My
stars! What _did_ they teach you at school?"

"Children," said the wood-woman, "children, do you mean it?"

"Certainly," said Green Ears.

"I think so," said Kaethe.

"Do you wish to buy rings?"

"O yes," decidedly from both children.

"Now listen; there is a passage from my house leading to the shops, most
convenient I assure you," said Frau Holle. "Everything delivered
punctually on the premises within one minute of purchasing it. No lifts
or motor-cars necessary. You see I know the ways of the world." So
saying she opened the back door, and they passed into a lane lighted by
many lamp-posts. These lamp-posts gave a very bright light and had queer
faces like the man in the moon. They grinned and winked as Green Ears
and Kaethchen went by.

It was a lovely fair; a fair in fairyland you may imagine how gorgeous
that must be!

There were stalls on which lay all sorts of tempting things, cakes,
sweet and toys. Kaethe felt sorry that she had no money.

At the flower stall they paused; the flowers were exquisitely arranged,
and out of each peeped a little Fee.

In big gold letters was written:

CONDENSED FLOWERS FOR SALE.

As Green Ears asked boldly for engagement rings, a fairy who stood
behind the stall, handed him two little gold rings made to fit any
finger; they were a new patent and self-adapting, the fairy said.

Green Ears was so pleased th