"Dear mother, the leaven is working," called one of the servant-girls, "and if you will come now, we shall have more than usually good bread.' Thus one called for this, and another for that, and all was in confusion. At last Gunner came in, out of patience because the servants had not yet started for the woods. "I have often asked you to prepare everything the night before, dear Elsa, when we were going into the woods. But do not forget the loom, my dear; there are now only a few yards of cloth remaining to be woven, and it will not do to allow it to lie in the way over the holidays." Now Elsa was very angry, and rushing into the room where the loom was, slammed the door, and threw herself weeping upon a sofa. 66 Oh, how unkind Gunner is! To think he wishes me to work so hard! Is there no one who can help and comfort me?" 66 Elsa "I can," replied a solemn voice. looked up and saw a kind, white-haired man standing before her. "Do not be alarmed," he said. "I am called Old Man Hoberg. I have come to help you. You complain of your duties, but it is because you do not like to work. I shall give you ten obedient servants who will be at your bidding, and faithfully serve you in all your undertakings." Then he shook his cloak, and ten comical little creatures hopped out and began to put the room in order. "Reach here your fingers," commanded the old man. Tremblingly Elsa extended her hand; then the old man said: Hop o' my Thumb, Lick the Pot, Long Pole, Heart in Hand, Little Peter Funny Man Away, all of you, to your places." In an instant the little servants had vanished into Elsa's fingers, and even the old man had disappeared. Elsa looked long at her fingers, wondering at the strange thing that had happened, but soon she felt a strong desire to work. "Here I sit and dream," she said, "and it is already seven o'clock, and all are waiting for me." So Elsa went to superintend the work of her servants. Now after this time Elsa loved to work, and all who knew her were happy that she had so changed. No one was happier than Elsa herself, for she saw that work was necessary and pleasant, and would bring wealth and happiness. The noblest men that live on earth Are men whose hands are brown with toil, Who, backed by no ancestral graves, Hew down the woods, and till the soil, And win thereby a prouder name Than follows king's or warrior's fame. |