Mr. Poodle was not a bit fooled by their silence, though, for being a very clever man, when he looked into their eyes, he could see them brimming full of joy, so much, that it was almost bubbling out and running over. That made it easy enough, then, for a clever man like him to see that they thought everything just fine.
Of course Helen and Tommy could have said those words to Mr. Poodle, only they wanted to find bigger ones. But Mr. Poodle was not even one tiny mite provoked at their not answering his question, for he thought it much nicer to read such a happy answer in their eyes. “Come,” said Mr. Poodle, “it is time to be going! We have passed through the Hills of Troubleland and entered the Vale of Joy and the Valley of Happiness; we are now almost in Toyville.”
“Toyville! Toyville!” cried Helen and Tommy, dancing with joy. “Hurrah for Toyville!”
Then from the roadway came the happy cry of Captain Pinkle and Captain Poddle and all their soldiers.
“HURRAH FOR TOYVILLE!”
The last of the cheer had hardly finished echoing in the hills when there came an answering cheer from down the road, and presently, turning a bend in the road, the little company came into a beautiful park at the foot of the hill and found it thronged with the happy Toy people.
The Mayor quickly stepped forward and shook hands most cordially with Mr. Poodle. He said the Toy people were delighted and much honored in having such a famous toymaker come to visit them. After greeting Helen and Tommy and presenting Helen with a bouquet of beautiful roses, he introduced them to the Lords, Nobles and fine Ladies and Gentlemen that had come riding up on their prancing steeds, or in their handsome coaches.
As Helen and Tommy were talking busily with their new acquaintances, the Mayor stood a little to one side and eyed them critically. There was a happy, pleased expression on his face, and once or twice he nodded his head as if in profound approval of something. Then, in a low tone, so low that hardly anyone could hear him, he said: “We certainly acted wisely and have made a good choice; luck has come to us to-day, and if I am not much mistaken, it means ill luck to our enemy—the King of Grumbletown.”
Although the Mayor had mumbled these words barely above a whisper, there were two in that gathering who heard what was said, and not only heard the words but understood what they meant.
The first of these two was Mr. Poodle. Of course it was all right for Mr. Poodle to hear what the Mayor said, and the twinkle that jumped about in his eyes showed that he thought a fine surprise awaited Helen and Tommy. {61}