"Please, sir, do let us see the presents," said Alice, much at her ease. For now he pushed a great chair to the fire, and seated them both in it, saying: "Ah! the poor little cold toes." Then he carefully closed the door they had left open, and said, smiling as he sat down opposite them: "I have come far—very far—to see you."
"Has you come far to-night?" said the little host, with rising courage.
"No, not far to-night." Then he paused. "Is—is your mother—well?"
"Yes," said Hugh, "she is vewy well, and we are much obliged."
"May we soon see the presents?" said Alice. "They did say you would not come to-night because we are poor now."
"And," added Hugh, "my pony is sold to a man, and his tail is vewy long, and he loves sugar—the pony, I mean; and mamma says we must go away and live in the town."
"Yes, yes," said Kris. "I know."
"He knows," said Hugh.
"Oh! they know everything in fairyland," said Alice.
"Was you evah in faywyland, sir?" asked Hugh.