Thereupon he went to the mountain, and as he approached the opening
of the passage which led into its inmost recesses he saw, sitting
upon the ground, and leaning his back against a tree, a Languid
Youth.

"Good-day," said this individual when he saw the Bee-man. "Are you
going inside?"

"Yes," said the Bee-man, "that is what I intend to do."

"Then," said the Languid Youth, slowly rising to his feet, "I think I
will go with you. I was told that if I went in there I should get my
energies toned up, and they need it very much; but I did not feel
equal to entering by myself, and I thought I would wait until some
one came along. I am very glad to see you, and we will go in
together."

So the two went into the cave, and they had proceeded but a short
distance when they met a very little creature, whom it was easy to
recognize as a Very Imp. He was about two feet high, and resembled in
color a freshly polished pair of boots. He was extremely lively and
active, and came bounding toward them.

"What did you two people come here for?" he asked.

"I came," said the Languid Youth, "to have my energies toned up."

"You have come to the right place," said the Very Imp. "We will tone
you up. And what does that old Bee-man want?"