The three happy children loved really true stories and fairy stories too. Sometimes they wanted one, sometimes the other. Sometimes the Toyman mixed his stories up so it was hard to tell which they were.
This morning it was spring. The sun was warm and Jehosophat felt very lazy.
"No," said Mother. "I have too much work to do. But if you will help me dry the dishes I won't tell you but I'll show you one of the prettiest fairy stories in the world."
"It is true too," she added.
"Mother, how can that be," said Marmaduke. "A fairy story that is a true story?"
"Just be patient," she replied, "and you will see."
So the boys took the dish towels and helped dry the dishes, without any accidents. But little Hepzebiah was too small, so she sat on the floor with her finger in her mouth and watched them.
"Come," said Mother Green when they were through.
Out in the vegetable garden, back of the raspberries they went.
"See there," said Mother.