“OOH! BOO! MY POOR HEAD”
St. Joseph laughed heartily, and St. Peter himself was forced to acknowledge that Smith had played his part well.
So Smith remained in Heaven and had as much work to do as on earth. He had to repair the swords, breastplates, helmets, and shields which the archangels wore when they amused themselves by punishing the devils who became too bold.
This work was a pleasant pastime for Smith. In his spare moments he chatted a little with old friends he met in Paradise,
THE PROCESSION
humble and simple folk like himself, such as the Girl without Hands, Hop-o’-my-Thumb, Little Red Riding Hood, the Babes in the Wood, Snowdrop, and Puss in Boots.
There was one thing which very much displeased Smith. He enjoyed the rice pudding with plenty of sugar, which was served in golden plates and eaten with silver spoons, and the heavenly scones with butter spread thickly. But he never had a drop to drink, never a hand at “whist” or “bridge.” He found that dull, so dull that sometimes he secretly wished himself back on earth, among his friends and acquaintances in his own village in Brabant.