"That is very true," returned the fairy. "I should not have thought of it."
After a few minutes' reflection the fairy told the shoemaker that she had a plan which she thought was a good one. "And if I succeed," she said, "what will you do for me? Will you make me a pair of slippers?"
The shoemaker laughed as he looked at her tiny feet. "I'll do that," he said, "whether you succeed or not."
"Very well," said the fairy. "Take my measure."
"SHE GATHERED THOSE LITTLE BEINGS ABOUT HER."
The fairy then went away as fast as she could to the top of a cold mountain, where the ice imps dwelt. She gathered these little beings about her, and when she had told them what she wanted them to do, every ice imp waved his diamond cap in the air, and vowed he would go to work that very instant.
The next morning Shamruck got up and went out to look for his cow. Somehow he had a good deal of trouble in finding her. He could hear the tinkle of her bell, but it came from some very tall reeds and rushes, and he could not see her. At last, hearing the bell close to his feet, he stooped down that he might the better find the cow.
"IN A MOMENT A STRANGE FIGURE APPEARED BEFORE HIM."