“I guess all of us rang it!” Gran’ma replied, for she saw the little man was going to be agreeable.
The little man turned and looked at the dial at the side of the hut; the indicator pointed to four.
“You rang the bell four times,” he said in a matter of fact voice, “so you get four cigars!” and he handed out four large black cigars.
“I don’t smoke!” said the Soft-Voiced Cow, with a laugh.
“Nor I either!” Gran’ma. Janey and Johnny chimed in together.
“Then this gentleman may have them!” said the man as he handed the four fat cigars to Gran’pa. “Someone has to have them, you know,” he said, “for each time the bell rings I have to give someone a cigar!”
Gran’pa put the cigars in his pocket. “I’ll smoke them after a while!” he said.
“But they’ll melt!” cried the man. “You must eat them right away!”
Gran’pa pulled the cigars from his pocket, then with a smile he handed one to each of the children and to Gran’ma.
The cigars were made of chocolate candy. “Won’t you have one?” Gran’pa asked, offering the remaining cigar to the Soft-Voiced Cow.