"What is it, Lal?" inquired both the children.
"Upon Ridgwell's birthday night, before you both go to bed, I want you,
Ridgwell, to remember a little rhyme and say it to yourself."
"A hymn?" asked Ridgwell.
"Not exactly a hymn."
"After we have said our prayers?"
"Certainly," replied the Lion obligingly, "any time before you go to bed will do; will you promise to remember?"
"Of course, Lal."
"Well, this is the little rhyme," whispered the Lion mysteriously; and somehow it seemed to Ridgwell as if the Lion was still laughing at him as he repeated the following extraordinary rhyme—
"Christian child or Pagan child,
Which is my denomination,
Have I eaten dear old Lal
In my birthday celebration?"
Ridgwell repeated the mysterious rhyme after the Lion, then he shook his head.