"And now while the Queen and the children are walking slowly through the Village of Drowsy Town, in no great hurry to reach the landing, we will be in no great hurry to continue with the story, but will wait while we refresh ourselves with some more water from the well, and at the same time, hear what some of you think of the magical Island of Dreams."
With that the story-teller breathed a deep sigh and sank into total silence.
CHAPTER IX
THE SODA WATER FOUNTAIN
"That was a beautiful song the angels sang!" exclaimed one of the little girls as four small boys struggled with three larger ones for possession of the old oaken bucket, and the mossy accumulation on its sides suffered somewhat from the effects of the scramble.
"I like the song of Mr. Sleepy Head best!" exclaimed several at once; and while they were giving their various opinions about different parts of the story, the boys hastened back from the well and joined in the merry chatter.
As they hastily passed the water from one to another, one little fellow exclaimed:
"Mercy! I can't get over the Valley of Ice Cream and that Mountain of Cake. I just wish we had some of it here!"
"How about the Rock Candy Falls?" asked another.
"They were just grand! just grand!" exclaimed several, almost in one voice. The children now gathered closer than ever about the Vagabond. The little girl on his knee sat holding his hat as thus the "Knight of the Highway" continued: