the Lady Elinor's bewilderment, he told her the little
boy's story, and she at once slipped down and greeted him kindly. Then,
clapping her hands with pleasure at finding a new playmate, she declared
he must come and see the Christmas creche which she was just finishing.
She seized him by the hand and hastened across the hall, where her creche
was built up on a carved bench. The poor little Lady Elinor had no mother,
and her father, the count, had been gone for several days; and while in
the castle were no end of serving men and women and retainers, yet none of
these presumed to dictate to the little mistress, and so she had put her
creche together in a very odd fashion.

"There!" said she, "what thinkest thou of it, Felix? Of a truth, I fancy
somewhat is wanting, yet I know not how to better it!"

"Yes," said Felix, bashfully; "it may be I can help thee."

And so he set to work rearranging the little houses and figures, till he
succeeded in giving quite a lifelike air to the creche, and Lady Elinor
fairly danced with delight.

While placing the little manger he happened to remember the figure of the
Christ Child still in his blouse pocket; this he timidly took out and
showed the little girl, who was charmed, and still more so when he drew
forth a small wooden sheep and a dog, which were also in the same pocket.

The Lady Elinor was so carried away with joy that she flew to the side of
the count, and, grasping both his hands, dragged him across the room to
show him the creche and the wonderful figures carved by Felix.

"See, mon pere!" said Elinor, "see this, and this!" And she held up the
little carvings for the count's inspection.

Count Bernard, who had good-naturedly crossed the room to please his
little daughter, now opened his eyes wide with surprise. He took the
little figures she handed him and examined them closely, for he was a good
judge of artistic work of this kind. Then he looked at Felix, and at
length he said:

"Well, little forest bird, who taught thee the carver's craft?"

"No one, sir," faltered Felix; "indeed, I wish, above all things, to learn
of the Pere Videau, the master carver; but my father says I must be a
shepherd, as he is."

Here a tear rolled down Felix's cheek, for you must remember he was
terribly tired.

"Well, well," said the count, "never mind! Thou art weary, little one; we
will talk of this more on the morrow. 'T is high time now that both of you
were sound asleep. Hey,