So Florimel partook heartily of the plain fare of the farmer and his wife, and throughout the meal the talk of his hosts was of the missing prince. "Poor lad!" said the woman with a sigh. [Illustration] "I hope that all is well with him. Yet much I fear this search for him is vain. His uncle, the duke, could tell, I warrant, what has happened to him. But he will never be heard of more, and the wicked duke will now be king." "You who have come from the city," said the farmer to Florimel, "no doubt some time have seen the poor prince. What kind of a young lad was he? A likely one, so I have heard." "He had his faults," admitted Florimel. "He was very small of build--no taller than I. When last I saw him he looked not unlike me. I doubt if he weighed a penny weight more." [Illustration] "Was he handsome?" asked the woman. "Am I handsome?" asked Florimel in return. "Candor compels me to tell you you are not," she frankly said, "though you are not ill-favored, either." "Still if I wore the prince's attire," said Florimel, "I would be as handsome as he. But let us change the subject. You spoke but a while ago of that strange country which lies adjacent to this. In what manner is it strange?" "But little is known of it," said the woman, "for, in truth, it is a place to be avoided. There are few humans bold enough to penetrate its mysteries, for in the forests and dense undergrowth are savage beasts that wreak harm. Often we can hear their wild cries at night, and our hearts are chilled. And, even if one escape the beasts, there are Brownies and fairies to weave their mystic charm." "Are the Brownies there too?" asked Florimel, with interest. [Illustration] "Aye, that they are!" said the woman. "But it is not the Brownies that would hurt you. They are kind little creatures who would help instead of harm you." "I would like to see them," said Florimel reflectively. "Many a night as I lay in my bed have I dreamed of the Brownies." "See them you cannot," said the woman decidedly, "since you have not second sight. Many have tried to see the Brownies, but they have failed through lack of supernatural vision. But there are Brownies nevertheless, and they go everywhere. Of that we have abundant proof, have we not, husband?" "Aye!" said the farmer. "Once when I lay flat upon my back, and the grain in the field was in danger of rot, the Brownies came one night and harvested it. In the morning it was all cut and stacked." "Yes," the good wife hastened to add, "and that very same night they churned the cream to butter." [Illustration] "Are you sure the Brownies did it?" asked Florimel, in surprise. "Who else but the Brownies?" said the farmer positively. "We had set a bowl of cream for that is all they ask, and next morning the cream was gone. Wife, show him the bowl!"