, but she is little all the same."

"I see."

"And she would so enjoy it, Lal," pleaded Ridgwell.

"Very well," said the Lion, "both come just this once. Now for home.
Come," commanded the Lion, "jump up. I learned that common expression
from the people who every moment of the day mount upon the horrid Buzz,
Buzz, things."

"Don't you like the Motor Omnibuses then?"

"The Buzz Buzzes you mean, child. No, I dislike them intensely, they
make such a noise both day and night that I cannot hear myself purr
even. Jump up. Where do you want to go to?"

"To Balham, please, Lal."

"Ah, that's the man with the Ass, isn't it?" demanded the Lion.

For a moment Ridgwell looked quite shocked. "Oh no, Lal, you are
thinking of Balaam."

"Spelt the same way," snapped the Lion, who did not like being
corrected upon historical matters.

"No, Lal, there is an H in Balham and people never drop it."

"Glad to hear it," grunted the Lion. "I only wish the people who
collect the pennies from the passengers upon the Buzz Buzz things would
say the same. Day by day," added the Lion in an aggrieved tone, "I
hear them shout out the expressions--'Olloway, 'Igate, 'Arrow. The
Board Schools," continued the Lion in his wisest tones, "are
responsible for a most imperfect system of education."

"But, Lal," pleaded Ridgwell, "you will take me to Balham, won't you?
I do not know how I should get home if you didn't take me there."

"Yes," said the Lion, "of course, I shall take you home, but you
mustn't come to see me too often, you know, it's outside the four-mile
radius. However," concluded the Lion, "I shall follow the tram lines.
Jump up," once more commanded the Lion, "and hang on, because you know
I go at a good pace when once started."

Whereupon Ridgwell clambered upon the Pleasant-Faced Lion's back, and
convulsively hugging him half round his great neck, buried his head in
the Lion's mane and shut his eyes, whilst the Lion took a bold jump
from off his pedestal, and started in a brisk trot for Balham.

When they had arrived at their destination outside Ridgwell's home, the
Lion stood in the road and wagged his tail contentedly.

"Thank you for bringing me home, Lal," said Ridgwell as he clambered
off the Lion's back.

"Good-night," whispered the Lion hoarsely, for after his long run he
was almost out of breath. "Mind you close the hall door safely after
you."

The Pleasant-Faced Lion, who appeared to be pleased a