The Palace was made entirely of blocks of ice most beautifully carved, the walls being lined with silk, so that nobody could look in. It was brilliantly lighted, andon each of the broad steps stood a giant soldier, in scarlet and gold uniform.
Two big footmen led the Bunnikins-Bunnies and the Gray-Squirrels through one grand room after another, until they came to a great silver door, on which one of the footmen knocked twice with a silver wand. As the door slowly opened, the Bunnikins-Bunnies and the Gray-Squirrels were so dazzled by the flood of light, that for a moment they all covered their faces with their paws.Then they looked up and saw the most wonderful room.
It was made of purest white ice, the floors being covered with great white rugs, and the walls with silvery silk. The furniture was of ivory inlaid with silver, and in every corner stood a tall silver vase full of moon flowers, which perfumed the air.
Moon in blanket
At one end of the great room was a silver throne, on which was seated a gigantic figure clad in a misty white garment, from which the silvery moonbeams streamed out in every direction,so that the whole room was filled with a shimmering light.
In front of the King was a great round window through which he was intently gazing. His head was quite bald, his cheeks were fat, he had a big mouth, and his eyes were very large and round. As he turned with a pleasant smile to greet the Bunnikins-Bunnies and the Gray-Squirrels, they were very much astonished to recognize the Man in the Moon, whom they had so often seen, sitting high up in the sky.
“Draw the cloud curtain,” he said to one of the footmen, who at once pulled a heavy gray curtain across the great window. Then in a very gentle voice for such a huge being, he added: “Come forward my little people, I am very glad to see you.”