Blinkieseemedalittleoffendedbytheattentionbestoweduponthetoy，andthatshemightnotseemtoapprovetheimitationcatshewalkedtothecornerofthehearthandsatdownwithadignifiedair。
ButClauswasdelighted，andassoonasmorningcamehestartedoutandtrampedthroughthesnow，acrosstheValleyandtheplain，untilhecametoavillage。There，inapoorhutnearthewallsofthebeautifulpalaceoftheLordofLerd，alittlegirllayuponawretchedcot，moaningwithpain。
Clausapproachedthechildandkissedherandcomfortedher，andthenhedrewthetoycatfrombeneathhiscoat，wherehehadhiddenit，andplaceditinherarms。
Ah，howwellhefelthimselfrepaidforhislaborandhislongwalkwhenhesawthelittleone’seyesgrowbrightwithpleasure!Shehuggedthekittytighttoherbreast，asifithadbeenapreciousgem，andwouldnotletitgoforasinglemoment。Thefeverwasquieted，thepaingrewless，andshefellintoasweetandrefreshingsleep。
Clauslaughedandwhistledandsangallthewayhome。Neverhadhebeensohappyasonthatday。