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The next day the wife said to the shoemaker. 'These little wights

have made us rich, and we ought to be thankful to them, and do

them a good turn if we can. I am quite sorry to see them run

about as they do; and indeed it is not very decent, for they have

nothing upon their backs to keep off the cold. I'll tell you

what, I will make each of them a shirt, and a coat and waistcoat,

and a pair of pantaloons into the bargain; and do you make each

of them a little pair of shoes.'

The thought pleased the good cobbler very much; and one evening,

when all the things were ready, they laid them on the table,

instead of the work that they used to cut out, and then went and

hid themselves, to watch what the little elves would do.

About midnight in they came, dancing and skipping, hopped round

the room, and then went to sit down to their work as usual; but

when they saw the clothes lying for them, they laughed and

chuckled, and seemed mightily delighted.