Up, up, until Ellen grew dizzy with the height and closed her eyes.
There was a slight jar, and then the gander spoke, "Mistress, we are here."
Ellen unclosed her eyes and looked about her. She was in a wide gray country, such as she had never seen before. Everything about her was gray, the trees, the grass, the streams and sky—everything; and not far away was a gigantic, shadowy gray castle.
Close to where the gander had alighted stood a little old woman with her hands clasped. She was looking at Ellen with wide, wondering eyes. Presently she came nearer, and timidly stretching out her hand she touched Ellen with her finger. "Are you real, or are you only a dream?" she asked.
"Why I'm real, of course," said Ellen.
The little old woman caught her by the arm and began to sob with joy. "Oh, I'm so glad, so glad," she cried. "I've been so lonely up here. You won't go away and leave me here alone again, will you?"
"I've come to take you down," said Ellen.
"Oh, that's better still. It's many a long and weary year since my foot has been on the dear green grass. But how will you get me down?"
"I thought maybe the gander would carry us," said Ellen, but the white gander shook his head.