for ever in the
subterranean realms, and never appear on the surface any more. And
if--Oh, oh, what must I see, wretched, most miserable of fathers that I
am?"

He got into such a state all in a moment that she felt certain some
fresh misfortune had just come to light, and asked him anxiously
what he was lamenting about now. However, he could do nothing for
sheer sobbing, but stammer out, "Oh--oh--dau-gh-ter. Wha-t ar--e
y-ou--l--l--like?" She ran to her room, looked into the looking-glass,
and started back, terrified almost to death.

And she had reason; for the matter stood thus. As Herr Dapsul was
trying to open the eyes of Daucus Carota's intended queen to the danger
she was in of gradually losing her pretty figure and good looks, and
growing more and more into the semblance of a gnome queen, he suddenly
became aware of how far the process had proceeded already. Aennchen's
head had got much broader and bigger, and her skin had turned yellow,
so that she was quite ugly enough already. And though vanity was not
one of her failings, she was woman enough to know that to grow ugly is
the greatest and most frightful misfortune which can happen here below.
How often had she thought how delightful it would be when she would
drive, as queen, to church in the coach and eight, with the crown on
her head, in satins and velvets, with diamonds, and gold chains, and
rings, seated beside her royal husband, setting all the women, the
schoolmaster's wife included, into amazement of admiration, and most
likely, in fact, no doubt, instilling a proper sense of respect even
into the minds of the pompous lord and lady of the manor themselves.
Ay, indeed, how often had she been lapt in these and other such
eccentric dreams, and visions of the future!--Fraeulein Aennchen burst
into long and bitter weeping.

"Anna, my daughter Anna," cried Herr Dapsul down through the speaking
trumpet; "come up here to me immediately!"

She found him dressed very much like a miner. He spoke in a tone of
decision and resolution, saying, "When need is the sorest, help is
often nearest. I have ascertained that Daucus Carota will not leave his
palace to-day, and most probably not till noon of to-morrow. He has
assembled the princes of his house, the ministers, and other people
of consequence to hold a council on the subject of the next crop of
winter cabbage. The sitting is important, and it may be prolonged so
much that we may not have any cabbage at all