Remember your mother’s words—never despair.”
When they had finished Mrs. Littlepump unlocked the closet door. Everybody was so silent.
“Margaret,” whispered Mrs. Littlepump, “go and tap at the door.”
Margaret did so, and then the door slowly began to open. It stopped opening, and a voice inside said, “You must take my hand, or I cannot come out.”
And then a well-formed hand was put forth. With a face all scarlet with blushes Margaret gently took it. And then—who should come out of the closet but dear Uncle Abraham!
“Here is dear Uncle Abraham!” shouted all the children, “but where is the Bear?”
The children all ran right into the closet, scrambling, squeaking, and searching all about, but finding nothing! Soon they came crowding, and began to run round Uncle Abraham.
“Where is the fascinating rough gentleman?” cried everybody in the room.
“Here I am!” exclaimed a soft hoarse voice, as if from a great distance.
They all looked round and round. Nobody like Mr. Bear was to be seen.