And at Shoofly & Company's
Made her first stop.
Mr. Shoofly came forward,
All beaming and gay:
'And what can I do for you,
Madam, to-day?'
He bowed and he beckoned;
He showed her a seat;
But the poor clerks turned pale
When she put out her feet.
'How many?' they faltered.
'As many as these,'
She replied very sweetly,
'And hurry up, please.'

"So they hurried and scurried,
The ten Shoofly clerks,
All hustling together
And working like Turks.
They cleared all the counters;
They emptied the shelves;
They made, in their haste,
Perfect slaves of themselves.
They laced and they buttoned,
They pushed and they squeezed,
Miss Centipede watching,
Quite placid and pleased;
They used a short ladder
To fit her top feet,
And never drew breath
Till the job was complete.

"And here's what they sold her--
Now count if you choose:
A pair of cloth gaiters,
A pair of tan shoes,
A pair of black pumps,
And a pair of tan ties,
Two pairs of galoshes
And boots, ladies' size;
Five pairs of silk slippers
For thin evening wear--
Rose, green, red, and buff,
And a rich purple pair;
And soft bedroom slippers
Of crimson and gray;
And a pair of bootees,
By red tassels made gay;

"And five sets of sandals,
Two basket-ball shoes,
And two pairs for lounging--
Pale pinks and pale blues;
And six pairs for walking,
And six pairs for snow,
And six pairs to hunt in--
Though what, I don't know;
And two pairs of goatskin,
And two pairs of duck,
And four pairs of kid--
And on all of them stuck
The daintiest rubbers.
Indeed, she looked sweet,
Miss Centipede did,
As she tripped down the street!"

[Illustration]

By this time they had finished their stew. The Journeying Man rose and
picked up his staff. "That was good soup," he said.

The gypsy looked gratified. "Maybe," he answered, "it had some of
Contrary Mary's truck in it, and maybe it didn't. I'm not saying as to
that."

Amos and Ann were filled with curiosity. They wanted to know what
"Contrary Mary's truck" might be.

"You tell them," the gypsy said to the Journeying Man. And J. M. did.

"You ask why