ware, and the most luscious meats and fruits and wines, placed
themselves beside each other, and the chairs arranged themselves along
the tables, and then the men and women took their seats.

The principal persons now came forward and bowed to John, and led him to
their table, where they placed him among their most beautiful maidens, a
distinction which pleased John well. The party, too, was very merry, for
the underground people are extremely lively and cheerful, and can never
stay long quiet. Then the most charming music sounded over their heads,
and beautiful birds, flying about, sang most sweetly, and these were not
real birds but artificial ones which the little men make so ingeniously
that they can fly about and sing like natural ones.

The servants of both sexes who waited at table and handed about the
golden cups, and the silver and crystal baskets with fruit, were
children belonging to this world, whom some casualty or other had thrown
among the underground people, and who, having come down without securing
any pledge, were fallen into the power of the little ones. These were
differently clad. The boys and girls were dressed in short white coats
and jackets, and wore glass shoes so fine that their step could never be
heard, with blue caps on their heads, and silver belts round their
waists.

John at first pitied them, seeing how they were forced to run about and
wait on the little people, but as they looked cheerful and happy, and
were handsomely dressed, and had such rosy cheeks, he said to
himself--"After all, they are not so badly off, and I was myself much
worse when I had to be running after the cows and bullocks. To be sure I
am now a master here, and they are servants, but there is no help for
it. Why were they so foolish as to let themselves be taken and not get