again, there was no snake on the bed! Nor was there any Tom to be seen!

"Shucks! I knew he wasn't as brave as he pretended to be--you see he's
deserted!" growled Charlie.

[Illustration: "You see, he's deserted."]

Just then there was a chuckle from the other side of the bed and up
popped Tommy who had been crouching on the floor there. And if you'll
believe it, there was the reptile that had so scared the children around
his neck!

"It wasn't a snake at all!" Tom cried, grinning. "See, it's only little
Hal's necktie, that old blue and green, bias-cut silk thing that sort of
twists up. Weren't we silly geese though!"




RAINDROPS.


Little Pit and Little Pat
Come out in stormy weather;
They chase each other down the pane
And then run off together.