delighted Grettel particularly, and then he began to pluck things out
of the air--just as the magician in the theater does: a small stove
from which a blue flame arose; a sauce-pan; a nice table covered with a
white cloth; plates and knives and forks--everything. He placed a
white cap on his head and held the sauce-pan over the blue flame. He
kept smiling mischievously all the while; and at last he carried the
sauce-pan to the table and poured something into every dish. Then he
made another salaam, and that was all there was to him.

The children all eagerly took their places. They looked excitedly to
see what the genie had prepared for them.

It was bread and milk in every case.

They all shouted gleefully because of the trick the genie had played on
them. Then they looked about for Aladdin, who for the moment was
nowhere to be seen.

Far down the road they heard him singing as he went on his way. His
voice was faint and musical--

"Tla-la-la . . . tla-la-la . . ."




CHAPTER XII

EVERYCHILD BECOMES ACQUAINTED WITH A POOR DOG