tree. There were chairs about the table. Finally, there was a ladder
standing against the shoe, so that you could climb up and get in at the
top.

"And so," said Everychild in a tone of wonder, "this is where you
live!" He had taken the little boy by the hand.

The little boy was about to reply when something almost alarming
happened. The little boy slipped his hand away from Everychild's and
shrank back until he was hiding behind Cinderella's skirt. An
astonishing head and shoulders appeared above the top of the shoe!

The Old Woman who Lived in the Shoe had heard them. She remained
perched in her place, glaring severely about the yard below.

Nor was this all. Other individuals inside the shoe had evidently
heard the voice of Everychild. And now they began to peep out in the
most extraordinary fashion. Three pairs of eyes appeared at the broken
toe of the shoe. And up the double row of eye-holes, all the way up
the front of the shoe, startled faces were to be seen. You could see
excited eyes with hair hanging down before them.

All this proved too much for the little black dog, who had gone forward
from Tom's side to inspect the shoe. Now he began barking excitedly at
the half-hidden faces.

Everychild stood in his place, wide-eyed and with beating heart.

The Old Woman arose more fully into view. She stared down at
Everychild. She flung the hair back from her face.