look at my treasures longer, stay
here, and rejoice your heart with the glitter of gold till I come to
call you to dinner." Thereupon he left Hans alone.

Hans wandered about again from one treasure-chamber to another, and now
and then he attempted to lift one of the smaller pieces of gold, but
found it quite impossible. In former times, he had often heard clever
people say how heavy gold was, but he would never believe it. Now,
however, he learned it from his own experience. After a time the master
returned, but he was so much altered that Hans did not recognise him at
first sight. He wore red flame-coloured silken robes, richly decorated
with golden lace and golden fringes. He wore a broad gold belt round his
waist, and a gold crown adorned his head, sparkling with jewels like
stars on a clear winter's night. Instead of the fir staff, he now held a
small gold sceptre in his hand, which branched in such a way that it
looked like a shoot of the great fir staff.

After the royal master of the treasure had locked the doors of the
treasure-chambers and put the key in his pocket, he took Hans by the
hand and led him from the smithy to another room where dinner was set
out. The seats and tables were of silver, and in the midst of the room
stood a beautiful dinner-table, with a silver chair on each side. All
the utensils, such as cups, dishes, plates, jugs, and mugs, were of
gold. When the master and his guest had seated themselves at the table,
twelve dishes were presented in succession. The waiters were just like
the little men in the smithy, only that they were not naked, but wore
clean white clothes. Their quickness and dexterity was very remarkable,
for although they did not appear to be provided with wings, they moved
about as lightly as birds. They were not tall enough to reach the table,
and were obliged to skip up to it like fleas. Meantime they held the
great dishes and tureens in their hands, and were so skilful that they
did not spill a drop of the contents. During dinner the little waiters
poured mead and delicate wines into the mugs, and handed them to the
company. The master carried on a friendly conversation, and explained
many mysteries to Hans. Thus, when they came to talk over his nocturnal
meeting with Hans, he said, "Between Christmas and New Year I am
accustomed to amuse myself by wandering about the world, to watch the
doings of men, and to make myself acquainted with some of them. I cannot
say anythi