“Then, of course, I can’t eat her,” he decided.  “That author is as disappointing as most authors are.”

“But he’s not as bad as the artist,” exclaimed the donkey, who was still trying to stand up straight.

“The fault lies with yourselves,” said Jane Gladys, severely.  “Why didn’t you stay in the book, where you were put?”

The animals looked at each other in a foolish way, and the clown blushed under his white paint.

“Really—­” began the bear, and then he stopped short.

The door bell rang loudly.

“It’s mamma!” cried Jane Gladys, springing to her feet.  “She’s come home at last.  Now, you stupid creatures—­”

But she was interrupted by them all making a rush for the book.  There was a swish and a whirr and a rustling of leaves, and an instant later the book lay upon the floor looking just like any other book, while Jane Gladys’ strange companions had all disappeared.

* * * * *

This story should teach us to think quickly and clearly upon all occasions; for had Jane Gladys not remembered that she owned the bear he probably would have eaten her before the bell rang.

THE ENCHANTED TYPES

One time a knook became tired of his beautiful life and longed for something new to do.  The knooks have more wonderful powers than any other immortal folk—­except, perhaps, the fairies and ryls.  So one would suppose that a knook who might gain anything he desired by a simple wish could not be otherwise than happy and contented.  But such was not the case with Popopo, the knook we are speaking of.  He had lived thousands of years, and had enjoyed all the wonders he could think of.  Yet life had become as tedious to him now as it might be to one who was unable to gratify a single wish.

Finally, by chance, Popopo thought of the earth people who dwell in cities, and so he resolved to visit them and see how they lived.  This would surely be fine amusement, and serve to pass away many wearisome hours.

Therefore one morning, after a breakfast so dainty that you could scarcely imagine it, Popopo set out for the earth and at once was in the midst of a big city.

His own dwelling was so quiet and peaceful that the roaring noise of the town startled him.  His nerves were so shocked that before he had looked around three minutes he decided to give up the adventure, and instantly returned home.

This satisfied for a time his desire to visit the earth cities, but soon the monotony of his existence again made him restless and gave him another thought.  At night the people slept and the cities would be quiet.  He would visit them at night.

So at the proper time Popopo transported himself in a jiffy to a great city, where he began wandering about the streets.  Everyone was in bed.  No wagons rattled along the pavements; no throngs of busy men shouted and halloaed.  Even the policemen slumbered slyly and there happened to be no prowling thieves abroad.