“But now let us ask some questions, to see if they understand;”
And he showed to one of the little maids an orange in his hand.
It was Christel, the youngest sister of the mistress fair and kind,—
A child with a face like a lily, and as lovely and pure a mind.
“What kingdom does this belong to?” as he called her to his knee;
And at once, “The vegetable,” she answered quietly.
“Good,” said the monarch kindly; and showed her a piece of gold;
“Now tell me what does this belong to, the pretty coin that I hold?”
She touched it with a careful finger—for gold was a metal rare—
And then, “The mineral kingdom!” she answered with confident air.