“Don’t overtax your strength,” warned Tad. The twins giggled. Kitty, alone of the five, seemed unaffected by the general lassitude. He sat erect and blinked solemnly at the autumn world as though planning new feats of pedestrianism. Rodney, watching him lazily, expected any moment to see him jump up and stride off toward the horizon. Presently Tad, who had apparently gone to sleep, broke the silence.
“There was a young fellow named Tad, A worthy and excellent lad, He went off with a bunch And ate too much lunch, And the fate of that Tad lad was sad.”
Matty sat up and clapped her hands. “Let’s all do it! Let’s all make limericks. You make the next one, Rod.”
“Too full for utterance,” muttered Rodney.
There was a choking gurgle from Tad. Matty observed him inquiringly. “Nothing,” he murmured. “I――I was just laughing at something funny.”
“Now,” continued Matty, wrinkling her forehead, “we’ll be very quiet while everyone composes.”
“I,” remarked Tad, “shall compose myself to slumber.”
“Here’s mine,” announced Rodney. “There was――――”
“Oh, wait a minute,” exclaimed May. “Let’s give a prize for the best one! Shall we?”
“What’s the prize?” asked Tad. May looked about in search of it.
“No, a beautiful silver cup,” replied May, “engraved with the winner’s name.”
“Right here.” May picked up one of the tin cups and flourished it.
“How beautiful!” murmured Tad, seeking a more comfortable position for his head. “I’ll take it now, please.”
“Indeed you won’t!” said Matty. “You wait until we’ve said our verses. Now go ahead, Rod, please.”
“I guess I’ve forgotten it now,” replied Rodney, wrinkling his brow. “No, I haven’t. Here it is:
“There was a young fellow named Mudge Who tried up a steep hill to trudge, He fell on his back With a horrible _crack_, And was heard to exclaim, ‘Oh fudge!’”
The twins clapped loudly, but Tad said it was a perfectly rotten limerick.
“Better than yours, though,” laughed Rodney.
“Nothing of the sort! Mine was an exceptionally fine example of the art of――ah――composition. Mine had――had poetic qualities. Hand over the prize, _if_ you please!”
“I’ve got one,” announced Kitty somberly. “It isn’t very good, though.” He blinked about the circle, and Matty murmured that she was sure it would be a very nice one indeed.
