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 . Una put out her hand . ` Do n't go , ' she said . ` We like you . ' ` Have a Bath Oliver , ' said Dan , and he passed over the squashy envelope with the eggs .
` By Oak , Ash and Thorn , ' cried XXXXX , taking off his blue cap , ' I like you too .
Dan Hills Merlin Oliver Puck Una days left minute years