o light to show him the way except the little that the moon
sent through the opening high above the swift's nest; and on all
sides of the little fay were the straight narrow walls of the chimney,
covered with black soot. He clung to them as closely as a lichen to a
rock, putting his little toes into every crack and holding fast to the
bits of cement that jutted out here and there from the bricks. If he
rustled a wing he brought down a shower of soot upon himself, and when
at last he stood in the Giant's room, he was as black as any goblin.

He had no time to think of himself though, for there asleep in the
golden cage which the moon had seen was the queen's nightingale. There
was no mistaking her, for there was a tiny feather missing from the
tip of her right wing, and that missing feather was in Pease-Blossom's
Sunday cap hanging in an alder bush in the fairy dell that very
minute.

The Giant was asleep, too, but the golden cage was on a table close
beside him, so close that poor Pease-Blossom, whose wings were not
improved by the soot from the chimney, could not reach it without
climbing upon the Giant's bed.

He was as careful as he could be, but no sooner had he stepped upon
the bed than he touched one of the Giant's toes; and the Giant gave a
great start.

"What is the matter?" called his wife.

"Oh, nothing," said he; "I only dreamed that a little mouse was
tickling my toes;" and he fell asleep again.

Pease-Blossom did not dare to move till he heard him breathing
heavily. Then, tiptoe across the counterpane he went, taking care at
every step; but in spite of his care his wings brushed against one of
the Giant's hands; and the Giant gave a great start.

"What is the matter?" called his wife.

"Oh, nothing," said he; "I only dreamed that a little leaf fell on my
hand;" and he closed his eyes, and turned over on his side and was
soon asleep.

Pease-Blossom was close under the cage by this time, but so tall was
the table on which it was, and so small was he that, to reach the
door, he was forced to stand on the Giant's head.

Light as thistle-down were his feet, but no sooner had the Giant felt
their tread than he gave a great start, and lifting his hand struck
himself a tremendous blow upon his forehead. Pease-Blossom would have
been crushed to death had he not managed to spring, just at that
instant, to the edge of the cage, where he stood trembling.

"What is the matter?" called the Giant's wife.