or one of
the players as they had all pleased him so much. So he made up his mind
to mention one of them in his will as the one to be buried with him in
the family vault, whenever that event should happen.

They enjoyed the comedy so much that they gave up all thoughts of the
tea party and only carried out their idea of intellectual amusement,
which they called playing at men and women. And there was nothing wrong
about it, for it was only play. All the while each one thought most of
himself or of what the money-pig could be thinking. The money-pig's
thoughts were on (as he supposed) a very far-distant time--of making his
will, and of his burial, and of when it might all come to pass.

Certainly sooner than he expected; for all at once down he came from the
top of the press, fell on the floor, and was broken to pieces. Then all
the pennies hopped and danced about in the most amusing manner. The
little ones twirled round like tops, and the large ones rolled away as
far as they could, especially the one great silver crown piece, who had
often wanted to go out into the world. And he had his wish as well as
all the rest of the money. The pieces of the money-pig were thrown into
the dustbin, and the next day there stood a new money-pig on the
cupboard, but it had not a farthing inside it yet, and therefore, like
the old one, could not rattle.

This was the beginning with him, and with us it shall be the end of our
story.

[Illustration]

ELDER-TREE MOTHER

THERE was once a little boy who had taken cold by going out and getting
his feet wet. No one could think how he had managed to do so, for the
weather was quite dry. His mother undressed him and put him to bed, and
then she brought in the teapot to make him a good cup of elder tea,
which is so warming.

At the same time the friendly old man who lived all alone at the top of
the house came in at the door. He had neither wife nor child, but he was
very fond of children and knew so many fairy tales and stories that it
was a pleasure to hear him talk. "Now, if you drink your tea," said the
mother, "very likely you will have a story in the meantime."

[Illustration: "But how did the little fellow get his feet wet?" asked
he....]

"Yes, if I could think of a new one to tell," said the old man. "But how
did the little fellow get his feet wet?" asked he.

"Ah," said the mother, "that is what we cannot make out."

"Will you tell me a story?" asked the boy