Meanwhile the children had been so busy watching Mother and those pies; and their mouths had watered so as they watched, that they hadn't noticed the Toyman at all--until they heard him say,--
"Good mornin', Jack!"
Jack Who? Not Jack Holmes or Jack Frost--no, it was someone much handsomer, although he had a hole in the top of his head, a fat face, big round eyes, a large flat nose, and a wide, wide mouth with lots of square teeth in it.
"Mr. Jehosophat Green," said the Toyman very politely, "let me make you acquainted with Jack, or, as he is sometimes called, 'Ole Man Pumpkin.'"
Jehosophat bowed low.
"Pleased to meet you," he said, just like grownup folks.
Then Marmaduke piped up,--
"Make me acquainted, too."
"To be sure," said the Toyman, "Mr. Marmaduke Green meet Mr. Jack Lantern."
"Very glad to know you," said Marmaduke, bowing even lower than had Jehosophat, while Hepzebiah, dancing in her eagerness, shouted,--