e giant
had placed it on the floor. But of course he didn't. No sireemam. He
first cut a little piece for her and then a great big tremendous piece
for himself, and would you believe he ate two pieces while she was
eating one!

At last, when the dinner was over, and the giant had dried the wish
bone on the steam heater till it was nice and dry, he handed little
Mary Louise the magic knife and told her to make it into a whistle. And
would you believe it if I didn't say so, in less than five hundred
short seconds she had carved out the prettiest little whistle you ever
saw.

"Now, little girl," said Mr. Merry Laugh, "blow on it and make a wish.
But don't make the same wish you did before."

"Oh dear me," sighed the little girl. "I only wish one thing, and that
is to be home with mother."

"Get your pony back and I'll help you," said Mr. Merry Laugh kindly.

So Mary Louise blew on her whistle and made a wish, when, all of a
sudden, quicker than a wink, they heard a neigh in the courtyard, and
looking out of the window, saw Dapple Gray.

"Here, take this little ring," said the giant, "and if ever you are in
trouble, turn it around your finger three times and a half."

Just then the little yellow bird began to sing:

"'Tis a little golden ring,
Such a tiny, pretty thing.
But be careful lest you lose it,
For you may have need to use it,
It possesses such a charm
It will keep you from all harm."

"Good luck," said Mr. Merry Laugh as he opened the castle door.
"Good-by and good luck. Drop in the next time you're in town, and
don't forget Castle Merry Laugh, Forest City, U.S.A."

"Thank you," answered Mary Louise.

Just then down flew the beautiful Dream Bird.

"I'll take you home," he said. "Climb up between my wings!"

Then away he went through the air so softly that maybe the little girl
fell asleep, for when she woke up, there she was on the beach where she
had first met the little Mermaid Princess.

"Oh, oh," yawned Mary Louise, "am I really here?" But nobody answered,
so she jumped to her feet and ran home to her mother.

Well, well, have we come to the end of the story, you and I, little
reader? I'm sorry I've nothing more to tell you in this book, but
listen--lean over to me and listen--I've written another book for the
"Little Journeys to Happyland" series--it is called "The Wind Wagon."
Isn't that a strange title? But I know you'll like it--yes, I'm sure
you will.

So don't f