"It's a long, long way to my boots," said the giant. "I expect the laughter gets tired about half-way, and bursts. Then, you know, it's no good. When your laughter bursts it flies out of your mouth before you know where you are. I remember——"
"You are not to remember," commanded the witch. "It's time for supper."
She waved her stick, and in a flash there was the supper all ready laid. What a pity that all suppers can't be arranged as easily as this!
Well, they ate and they drank, and all the time sweet music was played by invisible musicians. It was far, far finer than George's last birthday-party.
After supper everybody—except the giant—told stories or sang songs, and Alexander showed them how dogs signal to one another by tail-wagging.
Then there was a moment's silence. Old Father Time arose and said: "I must go on my way once more. It is now time to say farewell."
"Stop a minute!" cried Tom Tiddler. "We must give George a present. Each one of us must give him something as a remembrance—or else he might forget us!"
He put his hand in his pocket, drew something out and presented it to George. It was a leaf!
"A leaf for remembrance! George will find out what it means by and by," he said, with a smile. "Now then, it's somebody else's turn."
Each in turn shook hands with George and gave him a present. Now, what did they give?