“Well, den, dey is to be eated and drinked,” explained Peter. “And den Mr. Narr wants to see ’em!”
Still in somewhat of a daze, Ted and Janet ate the food that was soon set before them—bread and butter and jam, lovely little cakes, and some glasses of milk. Peter had spoken about the choice they were to have, of lemonade or milk, and the Curlytops had selected milk.
Peter had gone out while the children were eating, but he came back before they had quite finished. In the meanwhile Ted and Janet had been talking together in low tones.
“Did you hear the name of this man that owns the island?” asked Ted of his sister.
“Yes—Mr. Narr.”
“Do you know who he is?” whispered Ted.
“I guess he’s the man that Mr. Keller works for,” said Janet. “The one he lost the keys of and——”
“Hush-s-s-s!” exclaimed Ted, quickly clapping a hand over his sister’s mouth, for they were alone in the small dining room just then. “Don’t speak of the—well, you know what.” He didn’t want to mention keys.
“Why not?” asked Janet.
“’Cause Mr. Keller doesn’t want Mr. Narr to know they’re lost. Mr. Keller thinks he can get another set made, maybe, without Mr. Narr knowing it ’cause if Mr. Narr knows Mr. Keller lost the keys he may discharge him and Mr. Keller wouldn’t have any job.”