The little Gnome at the spigot smiled. "I grew the melon," he said with pride. "It's the largest so far in Gnomeland. But next year I'm going to grow even a bigger one!"
"How do you make them grow so large?" inquired Ned, hoping he would be invited to have another glass of the juice.
"Not another drop!" said Ned's little friend. "A second goblet and you would be so hungry you could eat stones."
"Come with me," said the small Gnome guide. "We must eat."
Ned eagerly followed him, and they pressed forward at a rapid walk until they came to a queer little hut, from which issued a most delicious odor of sponge cake.
Around the door, or, more properly, what appeared to be one, but which was in fact but a small opening, stood several goblins, evidently awaiting orders from someone.
As Ned drew near he perceived that instead of a hut it was in reality a huge oven, in which something very delicious was being baked.
"Minions!" called out Ned's friend, "is not the goblin cake ready?"
"Yes, sire!" responded several voices, and in another moment the oven was taken apart and removed from the most delicious looking sponge cake that Ned had ever seen. A soft, warm brown color made it most tempting to the eyes, and the delicious smell made Ned so anxious to commence eating that he could with difficulty restrain himself.
"Help yourself," cried his little friend, and without a moment's hesitation Ned pulled off a piece of cake and eagerly commenced.