Maggie Browne

“ Thirteen-fourteenths was eager to find more boxes, and once more the troop began to run and jump. Boxes number five and six were found not far away from number four, and the Fraction tucked them away in his pockets, without stopping the party.
“I hope there are not many more,” said Thirteen-fourteenths. “I want to find the hare, the man who is dropping the boxes.”
“Another box!” cried Tare, picking up something as he ran, “no lid this time!”
“And here’s another!” shouted Tret.
“There seem to be always two together,” said Ellessdee. “He drops them in couples.” ”

“ Snip, if on your journey from Rhyme Land you have found any boxes similar to these?” and Thirteen-fourteenths took three or four out of his pocket.
“We have not seen any such boxes on our journey,” said Mr. Snip, “but doubtless there are many such in Nonsense Land. He is always dropping them about.”
“Who is always dropping them about?” asked the Fraction eagerly.
All the little Violets joined hands in a circle round the Fraction, and shouted as loudly as such small bits of things could shout:
“By the use of this ointment, one shilling a box. Allow me to sell you a couple.” ”

“ Snip, “I will tell you all I know about Father William, an exceedingly curious person. But we must be moving on, or we shall be late, and it is most important that we should not be late. Excuse me, one moment.”
Mr. Snip clicked sharply three times, then calling, “On, on, we shall be too late to help Lucy,” made a sign to the Thimble, and once more the procession started.
“To help Lucy?” repeated Thirteen-fourteenths. Then he looked around him. “Then you are Lucy’s,” he said.
“Of course,” said Mr. Snip. “We are all Lucy’s, and we are off to Nonsense Land to try to help her out. ”