WIDE-AWAKE LAND.
“Come, Freddie, time you were in bed long ago,” said mamma.
“Don’t want to go!” cried Fred. “I wish I never had to go to bed!”
But in a few moments Fred was snugly tucked away. Everything grew dim, and Fred’s eyes began to close. Very soon he heard a little voice from somewhere, and started up.
Perched on his knee was the queerest little man he had ever seen. In one hand he held a long pin, and this he often thrust at Fred.
“What are you doing that for?” asked Fred. “To keep you awake,” said the little dwarf. “You are in Wide-Awake Land, and no one goes to sleep here.”
Fred sat up in bed and looked about. Was it really Wide-Awake Land? Needn’t he ever go to bed again? “O, I am glad!” he said.
There were many other boys and girls in this queer land, and most of them looked very unhappy.
“What is the matter?” asked Fred of a little boy who was crying hard.