"'That's interesting,' he exclaimed. 'I aim to supply all quite recent needs. Come backin a month or so, and meanwhile I'll see what I can do for you.'

"In May the nymphs returned with their thumbs and asked, 'How about our recentmittens?'"

The tale was really under way now, and Cope went on with more confidenceand with greater animation.

"'Look and see,' exclaimed the Sassafras.

"They looked and saw. Among its simple ordinary leaves were several withtwo lobes--one on each side. 'Will these do?'

"'Do?' said the nymphs. 'We said we had two thumbs, but we meant one oneach hand, stupid. Do? We should say not!'

"The Sassafras was mortified. 'Well,' he exclaimed, 'that's all I can managethis season. I'm sorry not to have comprehended you young ladies and yourneeds. Come back again next spring.'

"It was a long time to wait, but they waited. Next May----"

Amy, now unworried by David Pearson, began to get the thread of the thing.Foster was sure the thread would run through. Hortense was still alert forulterior meanings. Poor Cope, however, had no ambition to spin a doublethread,--a single one was all he was equal to.

"Next May the nymphs, after nursing their thumbs for a decade----"