he cried , still laughing . ` If this had happened a few hundred years ago you 'd have had all the People of the Hills out like bees in June ! ' ` We did n't know it was wrong , ' said Dan . ` Wrong ! ' The little fellow shook with laughter . ` Indeed , it is n't wrong . You 've done something that Kings and Knights and Scholars in old days would have given their crowns and spurs and books to find out . If Merlin himself had helped you , you could n't have managed better ! You 've broken the Hills -- you 've broken the Hills ! It has n't happened in a thousand years . ' ` We -- we did n't mean to , ' said Una . ` Of course you did n't ! That 's just why you did it . Unluckily the Hills are empty now , and all the People of the Hills are gone . I 'm the only one left . I 'm Puck , the oldest Old Thing in England , very much at your service if -- if you care to have anything to do with me . If you do n't , of course you 've only to say so , and I 'll go . ' He looked at the children , and the children looked at him for quite half a minute . His eyes did not twinkle any more . They were very kind , and there was the beginning of a good smile on his lips .
XXXXX put out her hand .
Dan England Hills Merlin Puck Una days left minute years