Page:The book of Betty Barber (IA bookofbettybarbe00andr).pdf/119

 a work-basket, which rolled along on empty cotton reel wheels, as smoothly as possible. In the work-basket, on a white roll of work, sat a Thimble and a Needle, looking quite pleased with themselves. On one side of this queer carriage a pair of Scissors marched along, on the other stalked a tall, pink Fox-glove. All round the carriage tripped a number of dainty little Violets, who kept trying to curtsey as they walked, and behind it followed a crowd of animalshorses, oxen, and sheep. When they came to the sign-post they halted.

The Scissors looked up and read aloud, “To Nonsense Land.” Then he turned to the Thimble, and said, “Drive on.”

Thirteen-fourteenths stared after them until the last sheep had disappeared down the road, then he jumped down from his tree.

“I wonder who they are, and why they are going to Nonsense Land,” he said, “and I wonder if they have found any boxes. I’ll run after them and ask them,”

He ran down the road with a skip and a jump and a bound, and he very quickly caught up the procession, for they were not travelling very quickly. He made his way through the horses and oxen and sheep, and tried to catch one of the Violets, but she easily kept out of his way.

At last the Scissors noticed him, and at once the Scissors made a sign to the Thimble, and the whole procession stopped.

Thirteen-fourteenths bowed his very best bow.

“Might I ask, sir.” he began.

“My name is Snip,” said the Scissors.

“And mine Thirteen-fourteenths,” said the Fraction. “Might I ask, Mr. Snip, if on your journey from Rhyme Land you have found any boxes similar to these?” and Thirteen-fourteenths took three or four out of his pocket.

“We have not seen any such boxes on our journey,” said Mr. Snip, “but doubtless there are many such in Nonsense Land. He is always dropping them about.”

“Who is always dropping them about?” asked the Fraction eagerly.

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