Houpet stood at the edge of the stone eyeing it gravely, and somehow he managed to make Hugh understand that he was to lift it.

Nothing loth, but rather doubtful as to whether he would be strong enough, the boy leant forward to reach the ring, first whispering, however, to Jeanne, "It's getting like a quite real fairy tale, isn't it, Jeanne ?" Jeanne nodded, but looked rather anxious.
"I'm _afraid_ you can't lift it, Cheri," she said.

"I think I'd better stand behind and pull _you_--the ring isn't big enough for us both to put our hands in it." Hugh made no objection to her proposal, so Jeanne put her arms round his waist, and when he gave a great pug to the ring she gave a great pug to him.

The first time it was no use, the stone did not move in the least.
"Try again," said Hugh, and try again they did.

But no--the second try succeeded no better than the first--and the children looked at each other in perplexity.