"I'm sure I don't know what I could do in that case," he answered. "You see, no one has ever before come here since I was commanded to guard the entrance to Merryland."
"How long have you been here?" inquired Dot.
"About three hundred years, I think; but I've lost track of the exact time."
"Don't you ever die?" asked Tot wondering at this great age.
"I haven't died yet," answered the old man, thoughtfully.
"But you will, won't you?" persisted the boy.
"Why, I suppose so, if the Queen lets me," was the reply.
"Who is the Queen?" questioned Dot.
"She who rules Merryland," answered the man.
Then, for a few moments, there was silence, while Dot and Tot stared at the hairy old man and he stared at them.