It was a Candy Shop. At least a big sign over the door said so. But the blinds were pulled down and the door was shut tight and there was a card in the window that read
NO CANDY SOLD HERE
The Brownies looked at one another. Sweet-Tooth’s face wore a horrified look. He couldn’t speak. He managed to peep under the window-shade, but all the window held was a dismal row of empty glass candy jars.
‘It must be there are no children in the Town,’ said Silvertongue in a low voice.
And Kindheart and Sweet-Tooth could only nod their heads in reply.
A few steps beyond the Candy Shop they came upon another little store. ‘TOY SHOP’ was painted on the window. But here too the blinds were down and the door locked fast and thick dust covered the doorstep and the window-ledge. Kindheart stood on tiptoe and read a card tacked on the door.
NO TOYS SOLD HERE
‘What can be the matter?’ whispered the Brownies. ‘Who ever heard before of a Town where no children lived?’
Down on the beach crept the Brownies and here strange signs were sprinkled as thick as blackberries wherever they might look.
NO PADDLING ON THIS BEACH