Part 12 (2/2)

”It ought to be,” she replied

”I don't know,” the Grocer said ”YouFor instance, you rain But that is not because you love him It is merely because you wish to fatten hi!” said the Farthing Doll coldly

”Stay!” the Grocer cried ”I have an idea We appear to have soo and hunt for it”

”Where is it to be found?” she asked

”At the bottom of a Well, so I've heard”

”Then I suppose the first thing is to find the Well”

”Exactly so,” he said ”Come, let us start” So they walked away hand in hand They hunted all up and down the counter, and asked directions of many dolls But never a Well could they find

”See!” exclai that looks so like a Well Go, open it and look down”

”What h?” he said cautiously

”Truth, Truth, you silly thing!” she said impatiently ”Go!”

So he went and opened the lid

But it was not a Well at all It was merely the abode of Jack-in-the-box, and when the Grocer looked in Jack jumped out He jumped up so suddenly that he knocked the Grocer flat on his back

The poor fellow got up and rubbed his head

”One gets very hard blows sometimes in the search for Truth,” he said ruefully

”You shouldn't be in such a hurry,” res more calmly, and ask the Policee it y Close it firain, and I don't want to do that I wish to stay indoors to-day as much as possible, for I have a heavy cold inevery two ood,” said the Grocer when he had done as he was asked, and closed the lid of Jack's box

”Let us find the Police out her hand

”An excellent idea,” he replied as he took it ”There he is, just outside that dolls' house

”Constable,” he said, ”can you direct us to the Well with Truth at the bottoht, second to the left, and keep on till you co his eyes from the kitchen

”Not that I ever heard tell of any such Well,” he added, putting his head inside and speaking to the Little China Doll within