"You're a fool!" snapped the old man. "How do you suppose you can gather pine-cones in twelve inches of snow, not to mention the drifts?" "Nevertheless, sir, I have to get the children something to eat, and father----" "Oh! don't bother me with that story!" said the old man, impatiently. "I know all about it. Your father's Peter Kurtz, isn't he?" "Yes, sir." "Umph!" grunted the dwarf. Then, after another pause, "go to the closet yonder, and take one of the cups there, in return for the bread you gave me." "Indeed, sir," said Kate, earnestly, "I do not care for any return for----" "Do as I tell you!" bellowed the dwarf, in a fury. Kate crossed the room, opened the cupboard, and--what a sight met her eyes! All the dishes, bowls, cups and saucers were of pure gold. "Take one of the cups?" said Kate, in breathless doubt. "That's what I said, wasn't it?" snarled the dwarf. "You are just like all women, never contented with what you receive." Catherine was far too wise to answer foolish abuse with useless excuse; she silently took one of the beautiful cups and put it in her basket. She was so overcome that she did not think of any word of thanks until she had reached the door; then, turning: "May heaven bless you, sir, for----" "Shut the door!" screamed the dwarf. Kate hurried home, but before reaching the town she wisely covered the cup with snow, that no gossiping neighbor might catch sight of it; for she well knew that gossip was like the snow-ball that the little boys start rolling from the top of a hill--small in the commencement, but sure to grow before it ends its course. "Where have you been all this time?" whined Peter. When Kate recounted her adventure, her father could hardly believe her, and when she had carefully removed the snow from the cup, he could hardly believe his eyes. He placed it upon the table, and then, sitting down in front of it, he examined it with breathless astonishment and delight. The cup was of solid gold, heavy and massive; carved upon it in bold relief was a group of figures representing a host of little elves at a banquet. So exquisitely were they engraved that they appeared actually to move, and it seemed as though one could almost hear their laughter and talk. A glittering, carved golden snake, curled around the brim of the cup, served as a handle; its eyes were two diamonds. After Peter Kurtz had feasted his eyes upon this treasure for a long time, he arose suddenly, and, without saying a word, wrapped up the cup in a napkin, drew his cowl more closely around his face, and, taking his staff, prepared to leave the house. "Where are you going, father?" said Kate. "I am going," said Peter, "to take this cup to our master, the Baron von Dunderhead; that will be far more to our advantage than selling it to some petty goldsmith or other." "Take care what you do, father!" said Kate, quickly. "I foresee that danger will come of it, if you fulfill your intention."