Page:The book of Betty Barber (IA bookofbettybarbe00andr).pdf/135

 “Now, I’ll tell you all about it,” said Father William, “let us find a comfortable place.”

“Please first say if you got it,” said Thirteen-fourteenths.

“I got it,” said the old gentleman, smiling cheerfully, “it’s all right, and I can assure you it is a most interesting adventure. In my youth”

“Let us all go and sit under the tree, where we first found the book,” said Lucy. “Then Father William can tell us his story.”

“And I will tell you mine,” said Minora.

“And I, mine,” said Half-term.

“And then, as a grand ending to all the stories,” whispered the Fraction to Lucy, as they walked down the road to the tree, “we will tear that book into ninety thousand bits, and scatter them to the four winds of heaven.”

“We will,” said Lucy, “but be patient. Listen to his story, and don’t interrupt him unless he begins about his youth, and then all change the subject as quickly as ever you can.”

“He seems quite an amiable old gentleman now,” said Minora wonderingly, “but it only shows that you never know.”

“Father William,” said Lucy, as she sat down beneath the tree, and Half-term climbed on a low branch to swing his legs, “this young man is a great friend of mine. Thirteen-fourteenths is his name. He comes from Sum Land.”

“Sum Land!” said Father William, “I know all about Sum Land, it comes into my story. And who is your other friend?”

“Half-term,” said Lucy, “Mr. Half-term Holiday.”

“The young lady I know. We have met before,’ said Father William. “She wanted the book.”

“Now tell us your adventures,” said Half-term.

“I asked you to fetch the book, because I thought it would be sure not to do any more harm in Nonsense Land,” said Lucy. “Now go on, what happened to you?”

“I came to this tree,” said Father William, “and found a book quite easily, so easily that I thought I must have made a mistake, 113