The Pen laughed. "I'll do it some time—along about Christmas, perhaps," he said. "But about this picture business. I think you could make pictures."
"Can you make 'em?" queried Jimmieboy.
"I never tried, so I don't know," answered the Pen.
"Then you try, and let's see how trying works," suggested Jimmieboy. "I'll get a piece of paper for you."
"I'm afraid we can't," said the Pen. "I'm very dry, and don't think I could make a mark, unless you get me a glass of ink.
"For just as skates are not much use
Without a skating rink,
So pens—of steel or quills of goose—
Are worthless without ink."
"Oh, I'll get plenty of ink," returned Jimmieboy, "though I think water would be saferer. Water would look pleasanter on the carpet if we upset it."
"I can't make a mark with water," laughed the Pen.
"How do you know?" asked Jimmieboy. "Did you ever try?"