People even came from other countries to see her, so that in the end it grew quite embarrassing.
But, in time, a giant who had heard much of her beauty and gentleness travelled all the way from Giant-land to visit her, and he married her and took her away to his own home.
Her trousseau took some making, I can tell you!
All the women in the district sewed at it for six months—and even then she was able to have only six of everything.
TEN
Almond Blossom
LONG ago the leaves and blossoms of the almond-tree came out together like those on other trees. But now the blossoms come out first. Shall I tell you why?
One day in early spring the Fairy Queen was riding about the country.
“Oh, dear,” she said, “I’m so tired of this wintry weather. I wish the flowers were out. And next week is my birthday”—the Fairy Queen, you must know, has birthdays much oftener than ordinary people—“my first spring birthday this year, and there are still only a few primroses and violets. How I should love to see some pink flowers! I’m so fond of pink.”