Page:The New-Year's Bargain (1884).djvu/24

 "Run away," replied her brother, "from that old fellow? Why, he's ten times as old as Grandfather, and I'll bet he's not one quarter so strong. There's something very queer about it all, though, and I'm bound to find it out. Would you dislike to tell us your name, sir?" he asked politely.

"Oh, no!" answered the old man: "I haven't the least objection. Most people, however, don't remember to inquire till they're about seeing the last of me. They mistake me for my brother, Eternity, I suppose. My name is Old Time. That's my scythe hanging on the tree. Don't you see it?"

There it was sure enough, only they had not noticed it before. "And what are these beautiful figures?" asked little Thekla.

"Those are the Months," replied Time. "I come here every year to renew them. They get quite worn out, and need building up. It's a nice dry place, and they can stand till they are wanted. This one is January. He's finished;