“It looks fine!” said the crab.  “Try it on me!”

The little gnome placed the scarlet piece of cloth over the crab’s back.

“How do you like it?” he asked the lobster.

“Did I look that well in that color?” asked the lobster by way of reply.

“I think both of you will look far better if you let me change you to scarlet.  It’s in far better taste, too!” the little gnome added, pinching himself to keep from laughing.

“Shall we change?” the crab asked the lobster and the lobster asked the crab.

“You will find the color a great deal warmer,” said the little gnome.  “Green is decidedly cold, you know!”

So the little gnome gathered an armful of drift-wood and built a fire.  Then he dipped the kettle into the sea and placed the crab and the lobster in the kettle of water and put the lid on.

“Be sure and make us a brilliant scarlet!” cried the lobster and the crab, as the little gnome placed the kettle over the fire.  An hour later the two little gnomes lay upon their backs upon the sand and yawned contentedly, their little round stomachs almost bursting their belts.  Near them was the upturned kettle, and scattered all about them on the sand were lovely pieces of scarlet lobster and crab shells.

“It’s funny,” one little gnome said drowsily, “how one sometimes will become dissatisfied with the way he was made by Mother Nature and try to improve upon her work!  It usually leads to misfortune.”

“Yes, that is true,” the other little gnome replied, “We should be satisfied and contented just as we are!”

“Well, I for one am satisfied!” the little gnome said, stroking his fat stomach.

“So am I!” his brother laughed.

[Illustration]