“Well, I suppose we had better try to find our way out of this,” said the other after a short silence. He was evidently anxious to get back to town with his stock in trade and Sally was growing extremely hungry. Accordingly, the two started forth and after wandering along for some time at length discovered a little beaten track which gradually broadened until it finally became a footpath.
This, they felt quite sure, would conduct them to their desired destination. As they were hurrying along, they suddenly came upon a little cottage so completely hidden among the trees that it was scarcely discernible.
“Ah, now I know where we are! This cottage belongs to an old Codfish. He makes his living by weighing people at so much apiece.”
“By weighing people?” cried Sally in amazement. “Does anybody ever come here?”
“Nobody,” replied the other promptly. “But then he has the scales, and of course feels as if he should use them.”
“Very scrupulous, I’m sure,” said Sally gravely. She strained her eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of the conscientious Codfish. But everything about the tiny cottage was tightly closed, and an air of desertion hung about the place. Over the door hung a small sign on which was inscribed in tall letters:
PEOPLE WEIGHED HERE.
C. FISH.
and below this was the picture of a Codfish standing by a pair of scales, while a crowd of people were advancing in the foreground, all apparently anxious to avail themselves of the opportunity.
As Sally and the Doughnut Man came abreast of the sign, the child was almost paralyzed with amazement to see the Codfish nimbly hop off, followed by the scales and all the people, and come running briskly towards them.