"Broken to pieces! What do you mean?" asked the gas stove.
"Well, it's like this," explained Backy as he rocked to and fro on the kitchen linoleum. "Old Grandma is getting fatter and heavier day by day. Every time she sits down in me I'm afraid she'll go through the seat, or at least crack one of my legs."
"That's a terrible thing to have happen!" spoke Gassy. "That's one reason why they got a new stove in my place and put me down in the laundry—because I had a broken leg."
"I can't stand it to think of such a thing!" cried Backy. "So before the old lady gets any heavier, I've decided to do just what you did—run away. But I don't know anything about how it is done. Please tell me!"
"Why, you just watch your chance, as I did, and, when no one is around to stop you, trot off," advised the gas stove. "You aren't like I was—fastened to the wall by gas pipes. It ought to be easy for you to run away. You can move about; can't you?"
"Oh, yes," answered the rocker. "Only a little while ago I moved half way across the kitchen. Grandma said I was quite a traveler!"
"Then what more do you want?" asked the stove. "Watch your chance and start out. I wish you joy and luck! You'll have many adventures!"
"Do you think so?" asked the chair eagerly.
"I am sure of it," replied the laundry stove. "And when you come back, tell me all about what happened."
"I am not coming back!" declared the rocker. "I have been sat on long enough! I am never coming back!"