“And what, indeed, may you be?” the Lady laughed back.
“Why, we are the grooms for the White-White Horse,” answered the merry-eyed fellow as he proceeded to take charge of her mount.
Then, escorted by Lion and Dan—with Giraffe and his folks filing in close behind—the Lady was led to a gayly striped tub. Once enthroned on the top of it she again looked about to find all the “audience” in a halfcircle before her. At the very same moment they gave three ringing cheers and then took their seats, from which they gazed at their visitor in rapt expectation.
“Well, well; and now that is over with, What comes next?” asked she, from her place on the tub.
“Why, a story, of course,” they all cried, quite as if nothing else could possibly follow. “See, we are waiting for you to begin.”
“But,” protested the Lady, “I’d much rather listen. I’m sure that would prove whole heaps more fun. Indeed, I insist. So, Lion, suppose you select the one who’s to tell us the tale.” And she clapped her hands at the thought of it.
But, alas, Lion could but gaze at his fellows and then back at the Lady in silent confusion.
“To tell the truth, Pretty Lady,” he finally replied, “none of us know any very good stories. Only last evening we tried but couldn’t think—not even of one. Of course, Dan has many wonderful tales; but then he has been out in the great, wide world.”
“Oh, dear,” broke in Kangaroo in a most wistful tone, “if we could only do things like Gray Ears and Dan!”
“If we only could!” exclaimed Tiger, “then we, too, would have stories to tell.”