LITTLE GRETA OF DENMARK [Illustration: THE LITTLE MERMAID] LITTLE GRETA OF DENMARK BY BERNADINE BAILEY _Illustrated with Photographs Taken by the Author_ GROSSET & DUNLAP _Publishers_ NEW YORK _by arrangement with the A. Flanagan Company_ COPYRIGHT, 1939, BY A. FLANAGAN COMPANY PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA _Skarum Molle, Vemb, Denmark_ _Dear Mrs. Bailey:_ _Thank you very much for the privilege of reading the manuscript of LITTLE GRETA OF DENMARK. You have given a very faithful and realistic picture of my country._ _I am extremely happy to know that the children in America will have a chance to learn about Denmark through such a book as yours. It will help to unite America and Denmark in even stronger bonds of mutual understanding and friendship._ _Sincerely yours, Laurids Villemoes_ _February 1, 1939_ CONTENTS PAGE Chapter I A Search Begins 9 Chapter II The Search Continues 21 Chapter III A Ride down the River 34 Chapter IV Excitement in the Forest 50 Chapter V The Storks 63 Chapter VI Dinner at Vosborg Castle 74 Chapter VII A Day at the Shore 88 Chapter VIII A Second Visit to Vosborg 106 Chapter IX Chouse Seeks the Spotlight 118 Chapter X A Day of Happy Surprises 130 Chapter XI The Best Surprise of All 147 Chapter XII Chouse Is Homesick 165 Chapter XIII "Goodbye" 186 [Illustration: LITTLE GRETA OF DENMARK] LITTLE GRETA OF DENMARK CHAPTER I A SEARCH BEGINS Greta opened very sleepy eyes and stretched a long, long stretch. Every single morning, before she got out of bed, she put her arms above her head and stretched as far as she could reach. Greta wanted to grow tall, and she thought that maybe if she pulled her arms 'way up and her feet 'way down, she would grow tall more quickly. Greta had been named after the most famous queen of Denmark, and so she wanted to be tall and graceful, just as that queen had been.