Page:The book of Betty Barber (IA bookofbettybarbe00andr).pdf/121

 a book,” said the Rook. “Lucy wanted the book, I fancy, but I didn’t much attend to that part of the story.”

“Then, perhaps Father William has taken it to Lucy in Nonsense Land,” said Thirteen-fourteenths, “does Father William live in Nonsense Land? Tell me about him, tell me about him, tell me quickly." And Thirteen-fourteenths could scarcely keep still he was so excited.

“Let me speak to them all one minute,” said Mr. Snip, “for we must be nearing Nonsense Land.”

“Friends,” he said, “remember we have come to help Lucy. We shall need great patience, great watchfulness, strict obedience. Will you all be watchful, patient, and obedient to me? I will lead you, and if we are able to help Lucy out of Nonsense Land she will take us back to our own tree, and we shall all be happy once more.”

“We promise,” cawed the Rooks.

“Obedience, patience, and watchfulness,” said the others.

“Then forward,” said the Scissors.

“Now tell me all about Father William,” said the Fraction.

Mr. Snip explained how Father William had once lived in the Land of Poetry, how he had wandered into Nonsense Land, and could not find his way back to his own home again.

“He spends all his time trying to find the way,” said Mr. Snip, “he is a restless spirit.”

“But I don’t now understand how the book got into Nonsense Land,” said Thirteen-fourteenths.

“Excuse me,” said Mr. Snip, “we must not discuss the question further now. We are approaching Nonsense Land. We must move quietly with the greatest caution. We must not speak, we must not be seen. There are many who wish to keep Lucy in Nonsense Land, and they would drive us away if they knew we meant to try to help her.”

“Will you go into Nonsense Land?” asked the Fraction.

“Certainly not,” said Mr. Snip. “We must find some place and hide in Border Land. Silence, please,” he called.

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