lame toad's foot in his mouth.

"I wish they were both here," said Uncle James, "for you would like to
see them take that little journey."

"And the Mexican who built this air-castle," said Aunt Vi, "is he here
this summer?"

"No, he died last spring."

"Died?" echoed little Eddo, who had heard that dying means "going up in
the sky." "What made him die, mamma? Didn't he like it down here?"

Then without waiting for a reply he added most tenderly and
unexpectedly, "Isn't it nice that _you're_ not dead, mamma?"

"Why do you think that, my son?" she asked, wondering what he would say.

"Oh, _be_-cause I _am_ so glad about it." And at this sweet little
speech his mother caught him up in her arms and kissed him. How could
she help it?

"Now," said Uncle James, "let us see if we can enter the castle. 'Open
locks whoever knocks.' Try it, boys."

Nate lifted the knocker and pounded with a will. There was no answer or
sign of life.

"Let's see if this will help us," said Uncle James, taking a key from
his vest pocket:--