"Not at all--not at all!" said the dwarf, handing the line to Selma. "If you think you can fish better than I can, do it by all means." Selma took the line and pulled in the pole. Then she unfastened the hook and bait which was on the end of the pole, and tied it to the end of the line, with a little piece of stone for a sinker. She then took up the pole, threw in the line, and fished like common people. In less than a minute she had a bite, and, giving a jerk, she drew out a fat little fish as long as her hand. "Hurrah!" cried the little old man, giving a skip in the air; and then, turning away from the stream, he shouted, "Come here!" Selma turned around to see whom he was calling to, and she perceived another gnome, who was running toward them. When he came near, she saw that he was much younger than the fisher-gnome. "Hello!" cried the old fellow, "I've caught one." Selma was amazed to hear this. She looked at the old gnome, who was taking the fish off the hook, as if she were astonished that he could tell such a falsehood. "What is this other person's name?" said she to him. "His name," said the old gnome, looking up, "is Class 60, H." "Is that all the name he has?" asked Selma, in surprise. "Yes. And it is a very good name. It shows just who and what he is." "Well, then, Mr. Class 60, H," said Selma, "that old--person did not catch the fish. I caught it myself." "Very good! Very good!" said Class 60, H, laughing and clapping his hands. "Capital! See here!" said he, addressing the older dwarf, and he knelt down and whispered something in his ear. "Certainly," said the old gnome. "That's just what I was thinking of. Will you mention it to her? I must hurry and show this fish while it is fresh,"--and, so saying, he walked rapidly away with the little fish, and the pole and tackle. "My dear Miss," said Class 60, H, approaching Selma, "would you like to visit the home of the gnomes,--to call, in fact, on the Queen Dowager of all the Gnomes?" "Go down underground, where you live?" asked Selma. "Would it be safe down there, and when could I get back again?" "Safe, dear miss? Oh, perfectly so! And the trip will not take you more than a couple of hours. I assure you that you will be back in plenty of time for supper. Will you go, if I send a trusty messenger for you? You may never have another chance to see our country." Selma thought that this was very probable, and she began to consider the matter. As soon as Class 60, H, saw that she was really trying to make up her mind whether or not to go, he cried out: "Good! I see you have determined to go. Wait here five minutes and the messenger will be with you," and then he rushed off as fast as he could run. "I didn't say I would go," thought Selma, "but I guess I will." In a very few minutes, Selma heard a deep voice behind her say: "Well, are you ready?" Turning suddenly, she saw, standing close to her, a great black bear!