Part 3 (1/2)
The hairy man looked at them, in return with equal interest, and was the first to speak, saying in a mild, sad voice:
”Strangers, who are you?”
”I'm Dot, sir,” answered the girl. ”Dot Freeland.”
”She's Dot F'eelun',” repeated Tot.
”And this is my friend, Tot Thompson,” she continued.
”I'm Tot Tompum,” said Tot gravely.
”Oh,” replied the man. ”I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. I'm the Watch-Dog of Merryland.”
”What a queer name!” exclaimed Dot. ”Why do they call you that?”
”Because I'm placed here to keep everyone from pa.s.sing through the archway that spans the river into the fair and happy valleys of Merryland.”
”How can you keep them from pa.s.sing through?” asked the girl.
”Why, tell them they mustn't, of course.”
”But suppose they won't mind you, what will you do then?”
The old man looked puzzled, and shook his head slowly.
”I'm sure I don't know what I could do in that case,” he answered.
”You see, no one has ever before come here since I was commanded to guard the entrance to Merryland.”
”How long have you been here?” inquired Dot.
”About three hundred years, I think; but I've lost track of the exact time.”
”Don't you ever die?” asked Tot wondering at this great age.
”I haven't died yet,” answered the old man, thoughtfully.
”But you will, won't you?” persisted the boy.
”Why, I suppose so, if the Queen lets me,” was the reply.
”Who is the Queen?” questioned Dot.
”She who rules Merryland,” answered the man.
Then, for a few moments, there was silence, while Dot and Tot stared at the hairy old man and he stared at them.
Presently Dot broke the silence the stillness by asking, ”What do you do in this lonesome place, where you have no one to talk to?”
”Why, most of the time I watch, as it is my duty to do. And when I get lonely, I count my whiskers.”