Marmaduke felt very much hurt and very indignant about the way he had
been treated. As Father said, "it was a grave slight to his
hospitality."

However, he forgot all about it when he saw the new skates which
Mother and Father had waiting for him, and the grand Noah's Ark which
the Toyman had made with his very own hands. There isn't much use
telling the colors in which it was painted, because you know the
Toyman was sure to put a lot of colors, and pretty ones, too, on all
the things he made for the Three Happy Children.

There is one good thing about all the animals in that Noah's Ark. They
are very cunning and look like the real thing, but, as the Toyman
said, "You can invite them to your house any time and they won't
fight, or bite, or scratch, or quarrel. They are very polite and
well-behaved."

Marmaduke had many a celebration for them, and made many a glorious
speech to them as well, and they listened to every word.

So the birthday party really lasted long after the seven candles had
gone out, and the cake had gone, too, every crumb.




IX

DR. PHILEMON PIPP, THE PATIENT MEDICINE MAN