"Why if all the children in the world stopped believing in wicked giants, and Bogie Man, and witches and bad things generally, they would have to go to work and earn an honest living," said His Terics.
"What do they do now?"
"They all have more business than they can attend to frightening children. It's very easy work, and most amusing to make little children shiver and shake and cry, especially when we all know that there never was one of the wicked ones that could really hurt anyone that is not afraid. But my, my! I'm divulging state secrets—that's what comes of trying to be serious," and His Terics grinned sadly.
"What shall we do with the boy?" asked Silly Gillie.
"Tie his feet together and make him run himself to death," suggested Dottie Gillie.
"How could I run if my feet were tied?" asked Billy.
"I don't know," said Dottie, "that's why I suggested it—there is nothing like finding out for certain."
"I know," said Her Terics, "make him laugh at your jokes, brother; that will be an awful punishment—he-he-he."
"Or yours," said His Terics; "that would be worse. No, we will tie him out here for a year and let him think things over; then if he promises to go straight home we will let him go."
"But I'd starve," said Billy.