"But cricket-balls should be hard," said Felix.
"Not in Elfland," answered the Pine Queen, smiling; "it's a different game altogether; we hit 'soft' instead of 'hard,' and our bats are brushes, and we make no scores."
"It must be a queer game," said Felix.
"We think it a much better game than yours," answered the Queen, "pads are never wanted; and there are no wickets, and no one is ever caught out."
"HE PERCEIVED ... TWO LITTLE GIRLS."
"How funny!" exclaimed Felix; "I should not care to play at such a game."
The Queen made no answer, and they walked on until they met a girl with a pail of water, who curtseyed respectfully.
"She's going to wash the cricket-ground," explained the Pine Queen.
"Oh!" said Felix, which was all that he could say, for the fact was everything seemed so very strange to him.