Part 4 (2/2)
”I'm Tot Tompum,” said the boy, looking up into the Clown's painted face, ”and here's Dot F'eelun. We've come in a boat, long, long ways off. An' we don't know how to get home again.”
”We are delighted to have you with us, however you came here,”
replied the Clown; ”and as for your getting home again, why, that is worry, and no one ever worries in the Valley of Clowns. You are welcome to remain our guests as long as you please, and while you are with us you must consider us your slaves, for Clowns have always been the slaves of children.” Then he turned to the others.
”Brothers!” he shouted. ”Allow me to introduce you to our friends Dot and Tot, of the Big Round World. We are all their slaves. Salute them!”
Instantly every Clown stood upon his head and knocked his heels together in the air. As they wore silver bells around their ankles, this made a most delightful, tinkling sound, and the sight of so many topsy-turvy Clowns was so pretty that Dot and Tot both laughed and clapped their hands.
Then Flippityflop caught the children in his arms and seated one of them upon each of his shoulders, after which he marched up the street, followed by the rest of the Clowns, who sang and danced as they came.
The Prince carried them to one of the prettiest platforms and set them gently upon its cus.h.i.+oned top. Then he leaped into the air, whirled around like a windmill and landed gracefully beside them.
”Welcome to my dwelling,” he said.
”But this isn't a dwelling,” exclaimed Dot. ”A dwelling is a house.”
”And this is a sofa!” declared Tot.
”Oh, no; it's a real house,” said Flippityflop, ”although it may be different from the dwellings you are accustomed to. Let us enter.”
He seized a silken strap and opened a trap-door in the top of the platform.
”Come on!” he cried, and jumping down the hole, disappeared from view.
Dot crept up to the trapdoor and looked down. Just beneath her was Flippityflop, holding out his arms.
”Come on!” he said again; ”I'll catch you.”
Dot did not hesitate, but dropped through the opening, and the Prince caught her safely in his arms. Tot followed a moment later, and then the children gazed about them curiously.
CHAPTER 7 THE CLOWN COUNTRY
Flippityflop's house proved to be one big room, built under the platform, and lighted by a soft glow from hidden electric lamps. The walls were covered with bright-yellow silk hangings and on the floor was a crimson carpet. All around the sides were wide benches with soft cus.h.i.+ons of purple velvet, and near the middle of the room was a small table of blue and silver. On the walls Dot noticed several gaudily colored pictures of Clowns, and when Flippityflop saw the children looking at these pictures he said:
”Those are portraits of my father and grandfather and great-grandfather.
They were all Princes of this Valley of Merryland, as well as good men and clever Clowns. Therefore I am proud of them.”
”They look very jolly,” said Dot.
”They were jolly, and proved a comfort to thousands of children. But you must be hungry, and I trust you will allow me to offer you some dinner. What will you have?”
”What you got?” inquired Tot.
”Well, I have in my cupboard some fried goldfish, boiled b.u.t.tercups and pickled shoelaces,” he answered.
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