or their part, were so surprised that they only blinked. "No, I'm
sure it's never been done; but I don't see how it can do the least
harm. Why, yes, my dear--I wouldn't refuse you the pleasure."

So Sara picked out a dozen of the largest dimples, and paid gladly
with two kisses. Then, though she could hardly bear to leave the
pretty village, with the laughter always echoing over it like bells,
she grew all at once terribly impatient to take the Snimmy his
dimples.

"It will be such fun to feed him," she said.

For a while Sara was too much absorbed in anticipation to notice that
something was the matter with the Gunki. Then, all of a sudden, she
noticed that they were looking crestfallen and chagrined.

Sara was sorry to notice this because they had been very kind to her
all through this rather trying day. She began to feel sure that she
had in some way hurt or offended them; and while she was wondering how
she could have done it, and how she might make amends, the First
Gunkus saw her looking at him.

"I'd be willing to do anything I could for you, Miss," he blurted out,
turning his shoe awkwardly round and round in his hand.

"What's more, we done all we could," said the Second Gunkus, looking
deeply hurt.

"Oh!" said Sara, who now understood. "Why-why! You've been so kind to
me! I'd love to repay you in some way! I haven't any money with me,"
she went on doubtfully,--"or any postage stamps,--or any
ginger-snaps-- Do you--do you like kisses?"

The First Gunkus drew the back of his hand across his mouth and
giggled.

The Second Gunkus dropped his shoe, and fumbled about trying to pick
it up.

"Don't we, though!" said both of them, at last.

So Sara gave the faithful creatures two kisses apiece, which left them
beaming.

"Do--do you like them as well as dimples?" she asked. "Because, if
you'd like dimples, I'll give you some of the Snimmy's."

But the Gunki felt themselves honored beyond any Snimmy who had ever
sniffed. They stuck their noses into the air and strutted along like
drum-majors.

"Dimples is for folks with tails," said the First Gunkus.

It was blue dusk and starlight when they reentered the Garden. Sara,
with her friends standing a little apart to enjoy the fun, slipped
unseen quite close to the prose-bush, where the Snimmy lay with his
long debilitating nose on his paws, looking up at the stars. Sara
waited until the nose began to quiver and twitch; and then she
suddenly emptied her w