Mr. Poodle said: “Run down this lane and take a peep out through the trees over the edge of the hill.”
Helen and Tommy did as Mr. Poodle had suggested and soon reached the end of the lane, where a look-out could be had over the brow of the hill. Never before had they seen such a wonderful sight, for below in the valley lay as handsome a little city as was to be found in all the world.
In the foreground could be seen a beautiful lake, and sailing on its crystal waters were all manner of lovely boats with pennants waving and flags flying. Entering the lake, at its upper end, hidden here and there by overhanging trees, was a curly, twisting river. At the lower end of the lake there tumbled a dashing, foaming waterfall, beside which rumbled the wheel of a quaint little mill. {58}
Mr. Poodle, who now stood back of Helen and Tommy, said that in the quaint little mill there lived the jolly little Miller of Dee, who all day long ground barley corn to feed the barley animals they had seen in the pasture up on the hillside. Helen and Tommy could hear the wheel mumbling very plainly and could even hear the mill grinding. “Look,” said Mr. Poodle, “there is the little Miller of Dee!” And sure enough, there he stood in the doorway, the long smock upon his back, and the cap upon his head, powdered thickly with barley dust.
All about the edge of the lake there was a turned over marble rim, and every little way along this rim, were pots and vases in which grew flowering shrubs and plants, laden with beautiful blossoms. Here and there had been built wide stairways, leading down to the very edge of the water, and in one place there was a long pier standing on carved and turned posts painted in pretty colors. On a gate, at the entrance to this pier, were letters which Helen and Tommy could see, and with much difficulty spell into words: these read—“Royal Boat Landing.”
Back of the lake the land was rolling and wavy, like little hills. On these hills there were some fine houses, all set about with trees, and each one having at its side, or in the front, or back, a beautiful flower garden. There were so many of these gardens everywhere, that it was easy to see that the people were very fond of pretty flowers and delighted in having them about their homes.
Precisely in the center of the city was one little hill higher than all the rest, on the tip top of which loomed a beautiful castle, circled all about with high walls and topped with crimson towers. {59}
People could be seen hurrying to and fro in the streets. They were all as nice looking people as one would ever wish to see; in fact they seemed just like toys, only much bigger; as big indeed, as Helen and Tommy. All of the houses, the boats and even the fine castle on the hill looked like toys too, only ever and ever so much larger.
“How do you like this sight?” asked the little toymaker. Helen and Tommy were so excited and so full of wonder that they were unable to find a single word to put on their tongues so they could answer.