ready for her. When she opened her eyes next morning in the silken bed
with soft pillows, she found herself wearing a shift of fine linen, and
she saw rich garments lying on a chair near the bed. Then a girl came
into the room, and told Elsie to wash herself and comb her hair, after
which she dressed her from head to foot in the fine new clothes, like
the proudest Saxon child.[141] Nothing delighted Elsie so much as the
shoes,[142] for until now she had always gone barefoot. Elsie thought
that no king's daughter could possess the like. She was so delighted
with the shoes that she had no time to admire the rest of her outfit,
although everything was beautiful. The poor clothes which she had worn
had been removed during the night, for a purpose which she was
afterwards to discover. They were put on the doll, which was to be sent
to the village in her place. The doll had grown in its case during the
night, and had now become a perfect image of Elsie, and ran about like a
creature which God had made. Elsie was startled when she saw the doll,
which looked exactly like what she herself had been yesterday. When the
lady saw Elsie's alarm, she said, "Don't be afraid, child. This clay
image cannot do you any harm, and we will send it to your stepmother,
for her to beat. She may beat it as much as she likes, for the image is
as hard as stone, and cannot feel pain. But if the wicked woman does not
alter her conduct, your image will some day punish her as she
deserves."

After this, Elsie lived as happily as any spoiled Saxon child which is
rocked in a golden cradle. She had neither sorrow nor weariness to
suffer; her lessons became easier and easier every day, and her hard
life in the village seemed now no more than a bad dream. But the more
happiness she found in this new life, the more wonderful everything
appeared to her. It could not be natural, and some mysterious power must
rule over everything here. A rock of granite stood in the enclosure
about twenty paces from the house. When meal-time approached, the old
man with the long beard went to the rock, drew a silver wand from his
bosom, and struck the rock three times, when it gave out a clear sound.
Then a large golden cock sprang out, and perched upon the rock; and as
often as he clapped his wings and crowed, something came out of the
rock. First came a long table with covers ready laid for all the
company, and the table moved into the house of itself, as if on the
wings o