Page:Hans Andersen's fairy tales (Robinson).djvu/152



EVERAL large lizards were running nimbly in and out among the clefts of an old tree; they could understand each other perfectly well, for they all spoke the lizards' language. 'Only hear what a rumbling and grumbling there is in the old Elfin-mount yonder!' observed one lizard. 'I have not been able to close my eyes for the last two nights; I might as well have had the toothache, for the sleep I have had!'

'There is something in the wind, most certainly!' rejoined the second lizard. 'They raise the Mount upon four red pillars till cock-crowing; there is a regular cleaning and dusting going on, and the Elfin-maidens are learning new dances—such a stamping they make in them! There is certainly something in the wind!'

'Yes; I have been talking it over with an earth-worm of my acquaintance,' said a third lizard. 'The earth-worm has just come from the Mount; he has been grubbing in the ground there for days and nights together, and has overheard a good deal; he can't see at all, poor wretch! but no one can be quicker than he is at feeling and hearing. They are expecting strangers at the Elfin-mount—distinguished strangers; but who they are, the earth-worm would not say; most likely he did not know. All the wills-o'-the-wisp are engaged to form a procession of torches—so they call it; and all the silver and gold, of which there is such a store in the 121