Page:Little Ellie and Other Tales (1850).djvu/35

Rh and said she would not have the tiresome mole for a husband.

“Fiddle de dee!” answered the field-mouse. “Don’t be refractory, or I shall give you a bite with my sharp teeth; is not your future husband a very handsome man? Even the Queen has not such a dress of beautiful velvet fur to show as he has! His larder and cellar are full, and you may thank your stars that you can be so well provided for.”

Now, then, was to be the wedding! The mole was already come to fetch Ellie, who in future was to live with him deep under the earth, where no sunbeam could ever penetrate. The poor thing was quite melancholy at the thought of taking leave of the dear sun, which, as long as she was with the field-mouse, she could at least see from the door; and she begged so hard, that the mouse gave her leave to go out and see it for the last time.

“Farewell, beloved sun!” said she, raising her hands to the sky, and advancing some steps from the house; for the harvest