Page:Little Ellie and Other Tales (1850).djvu/84

Rh stones danced upon the ground and flakes of snow flew about him. He had on a jacket and trowsers of bear-skin; a seal-skin cap hung over his ears; long icicles were hanging at his beard, and one hailstone after the other slipped out from under his jacket-collar.

“But don’t go to the fire directly!” said the Prince. “Your face and hands might get frostbitten!”

“Frostbitten!” said the North Wind, laughing loudly; “Frostbitten! why that is just my greatest delight! But pray who are you, Mr. Spindleshanks? How came you into the Cavern of the Winds?”

“He is my guest,” said the old woman; “and if you are not satisfied with the explanation, you shall be off to the sack. So now you know my mind.”

This had the desired effect; and the North Wind sat down and related whence he came, and where he had been the whole month.

“I came from the Arctic Ocean: I have been on Bear Island,” said he, with the