“You’d better climb up while I’m a comfortable size,” said Miss Smiler. “One of you wants me to be as big as this pyramid. I feel it in my bones. So hop on, I’m still growing!”
The children did not need another warning, and tried their best to reach the Camel’s back. But in spite of their efforts, they found that she was already too large.
“I shall have to kneel,” remarked Miss Smiler. “It’s a bit of a bore, but I can say my prayer at the same time.”
“Whatever is your prayer?” asked Coppertop.
“Oh, I just say—
Please keep the horrid Hump away,
And let me smile from day to day.
Try it, my dear, three times a day, after meals.”
By this time Miss Smiler was down on her knees, and without very much trouble the children clambered upon her broad back.
Immediately they had done so, the Camel rose to her feet, and continued to grow rapidly. But what was the strangest thing of all, the children on her back felt themselves growing, too!