e hounds by the doorway were fast asleep in the sun, and the very
pigeons on the roof had all got their heads under their wings, he
ventured to step across the threshold into the bay window, and begin to
open his pack and display all his fine things, taking care to set them
out in the sunshine, which, made them glitter like glowworms.

Little Hulda had never seen anything half so splendid before. There were
little glasses set round with diamonds, and hung with small tinkling
bells which made delightful music whenever they were shaken; ropes of
pearls which had a more fragrant scent than bean-fields or hyacinths;
rings, the precious stones of which changed color as you frowned or
smiled upon them; silver boxes that could play tunes; pictures of
beautiful ladies and gentlemen, set with emeralds, with devices in coral
at the back; little golden snakes, with brilliant eyes that would move
about; and so many other rare and splendid jewels that Hulda was quite
dazzled, and stood looking at them with blushing cheeks and a beating
heart, so much she wished that she might have one of them.

"Well, young lady," said the cunning pedlar, "how do you find these
jewels? Did I boast too much of their beauty?"

"Oh, no!" said Hulda, "I did not think there had been anything so
beautiful in the world. I did not think even our queen had such fine
jewels as these. Thank you, pedlar, for the sight of them."

"Will you buy something, then, of a poor man?" answered the pedlar.
"I've travelled a great distance, and not sold anything this many a
day."

"I should be very glad to buy," said little Hulda, "but I have scarcely
any money; not half the price of one of these jewels, I am sure."

Now there was lying on the table an ancient signet-ring set with a large
opal.

"Maybe the young lady would not mind parting with this?" said he, taking
it up. "I could give her a new one for it of the latest fashion."

"Oh, no, thank you!" cried Hulda, hastily, "I must not do so. This ring
is my mother's, and was left her by my grandmother."

The pedlar looked disappointed. However, he put the ring down, and said,
"But if my young lady has no money, perhaps she has some old trinkets or
toys that she would not mind parting with--a coral and bells, or a
silver mug, or a necklace, or, in short, anything that she keeps put
away, and that is of no use to her?"

"No," said the little girl, "I don't think I have got anything of the
kind. Oh, yes! to be su