and looking for some place through which he might make good his escape. He spied a small hole near the gable of the roof, and, uttering a spell which diminished his size to that of a tiny bird, he darted through the aperture, and again resumed his usual appearance when in the open air. Ina had been charmed with the light and graceful dancing of her beguiling visitor, but on his sudden disappearance she sank down in terrible grief as she thought of her parents’ loss and of their anger upon returning home and finding their treasures stolen. She heard Nana’s voice mocking her from the sky and singing—
“O maiden, fair and free from guile,
Beware false words and flattering smile.”
wealth′-i-est
ap-pear′-ance
en-deav′-oured
gor′-geous
watch
per-ceived′
thiev′-ish
un-prin′-ci-pled
urged
sub′-tle
feath′-er
con-ceal′-ment
heir-loom, any movable possession which descends to the heir of a family.
a-droit′, dexterous, clever, expert.
ap′-er-ture, a hole, an opening.
arch-thief. In compounds “arch” means “chief,” “principal.” Arch-thief is one who excels all others as a thief.
pur-loin′, to take away by theft.
