Mary Frances had eaten many dinners, but never one like that. Yet, strange to say, she doesn’t remember what she ate. But she does remember how kind and friendly the Story King and Queen were, and how they plied her with questions about her own country. She thinks, perhaps, she bragged a little too much in telling of its wonders, but she excuses herself to herself, thinking, “Well, my country is worth bragging about, I’m sure.” During a lull in the conversation, Mary Frances asked the King, “Won’t you tell me where all the stories come from?”
“With pleasure,” he replied. “They come from all countries. The world is full of people who are doing brave and noble deeds, and when we hear of such deeds, we have them written down and pass them on.”
“Of course,” he added, “there are other people who are doing cowardly and selfish things, but we don’t bother with them, except to punish them as we did the pirate. We see to it that no good story is ever lost; that is why we were so concerned about the lost story.”
“You can see,” said the Queen, “that it keeps us pretty busy.”
“Indeed, it must,” returned Mary Frances. “I think it’s very kind of you to let me visit you.”
“Dear child,” said the Queen, “we shall make a story about it—several stories——”
“Yes, delightful stories,” interrupted the Story Lady, “and I shall tell them! Oh, yes, I shall tell them!”
THE LAST DAY ON STORY ISLAND
THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH, A FAIRY TALE OF HOME.—CHIRP THE FIRST.—CHIRP THE SECOND.—CHIRP THE THIRD.—THE RETURN HOME.