e good for anything.'

Hans stared at these words, and at last he begged that his host would
tell him what use it was to anybody that this gold and silver should lie
mouldering there, and the owner of it be continually trying to increase
his treasure, which already overflowed his store rooms.

'I am not really a man,' replied his guide, 'though I have the outward
form of one, but one of those beings to whom is given the care of the
world. It is my task and that of my workmen to prepare under the earth
the gold and silver, a small portion of which finds its way every year
to the upper world, but only just enough to help them carry on their
business. To none comes wealth without trouble: we must first dig out
the gold and mix the grains with earth, clay, and sand. Then, after long
and hard seeking, it will be found in this state, by those who have good
luck or much patience. But, my friend, the hour of dinner is at hand. If
you wish to remain in this place, and feast your eyes on this gold, then
stay till I call you.'

In his absence Hans wandered from one treasure chamber to another,
sometimes trying to break off a little lump of gold, but never able to
do it. After awhile his host came back, but so changed that Hans could
not believe it was really he. His silken clothes were of the brightest
flame colour, richly trimmed with gold fringes and lace; a golden girdle
was round his waist, while his head was encircled with a crown of gold,
and precious stones twinkled about him like stars in a winter's night,
and in place of his wooden stick he held a finely worked golden staff.

The lord of all this treasure locked the doors and put the keys in his
pocket, then led Hans into another room, where dinner was laid for them.
Table and seats were all of silver, while the dishes and plates were of
solid gold. Directly they sat down, a dozen little servants appeared to
wait on them, which they did so cleverly and so quickly that Hans could
hardly believe they had no wings. As they did not reach as high as the
table, they were often obliged to jump and hop right on to the top to
get at the dishes. Everything was new to Hans, and though he was rather
bewildered he enjoyed himself very much, especially when the man with
the golden crown began to tell him many things he had never heard of
before.

'Between Christmas and the New Year,' said he, 'I often amuse myself
by wandering about the earth watching the doings of men and learning