Page:Poor Cecco - 1925.djvu/193

Rh on his legs and not a little ashamed of himself—but ravenously hungry.

Hurrying forward with many apologies Ida laid herself on the ground. Tubby and Bulka knelt down on her, side by side. In a hushed silence Bulka took the ring with the green stone and slipped it over Tubby’s paw, where it fitted easily. The musical-box burst out with a triumphant “Tum tum tum tumptity!” Harlequin waved his wand above them, saying “Hey Presto!” and immediately they were married.

Scarcely was the ceremony over, and every one had crowded round to kiss the bride, than the Lion came forward, with Anna sidling along behind. They too wanted to get married, seeing how simple it all was. Harlequin was willing, but Poor Cecco put his foot down.

“Nonsense!” he declared. “One wedding at a time! It’s Tubby’s turn to-day, and besides, there are no more gifts ready. Anna has spent all the summer shilly-shallying on account of that stupid green meadow of hers, and now she must just content herself with being engaged for the present!”

So they were engaged, formally; Anna, after some coyness, consented to wear a grass ring round her left ankle, and she took off her bell and hung it about the Lion’s neck.

“You were quite right,” Gladys whispered to Poor Cecco. “Anna could have made up her mind long ago, if she had had any sense.”