“No. That is, only a little because you’re wondrous wise and I’m—I guess I’m afraid to ask you some of the questions I wanted to. You see, you might think the earth hasn’t any ends because it’s round but I know it does have ends because my father went there.”
“That’s right,” said the Bramble Bush Man, “it does have ends. The ends are mighty lonesome too.”
“Have you been there?” asked Tommy who was just about ready to believe anything.
“I live there,” replied the Bramble Bush Man.
“Then that path did lead to the ends of the earth just like you said, Muffins, only your father wasn’t there.”
“It’s just as well,” she returned with a grown-up air. “He was a cranky man anyway and the Bramble Bush Man is nice.”
“I’m glad you think so.” He held out his hand. “Let’s shake on that. I think you’re nice too.”
But the children thought he was shaking goodbye to them. They had almost forgotten to thank him for his magic. Then, when they did remember, he surprised them by turning the tables and thanking them for theirs.