"I'm laughing in _that_ direction," he explained, "because
there's a city full of wicked people up there, on the Earth outside.
When I laugh, it's an Earthquake, you see, and I don't want to shake
up the good people. Now"--he pointed in another direction--"the town
of Five Corners is up about there. You wouldn't want me to try an
Earthquake on _it_, would you?"

Marmaduke thought this was very kind and considerate of the Giant, to
try to spare the people in the town where he went to buy candy and to
see circuses and things. Then he had an idea.

"Couldn't you shake up the ground a mile or two west of that--see," he
pointed his finger at the roof of the pit, "about there. That's where
Fatty lives, over near Wally's Creek, and it would do him good to be
shaken up by a earthquake--just a little one."

"All right," replied the Giant, "I can accommodate you. But you're
running a risk. I might kill your friend Fatty."

"He isn't any friend of mine," Marmaduke interrupted--then he thought
for a moment. After all he didn't really want Fatty killed. He guessed
he'd better not take a chance.

"No," he said, shaking his head, "after all, I 'spose you'd better not
try it."

"All right," the Giant answered, "just as you say. But have you had
any lunch?"

At that question Marmaduke suddenly felt rather faint, and he watched