o much for a plaything."

"That's very nice, Tom," said Marjorie, forgetting her role.

"No, it isn't. It seems as if it ought to be right, and then somehow it
isn't. Bathing and plaything are 'most alike, and yet they sound awful
different."

"That's so. Well, anyway, it's plenty good enough, and it's all true,
Tom."

"Yes, it's all true."

"Then it must be right, 'cause there's a quotation or something that
says truth is beauty. We wouldn't want all our poems to be just alike,
you know."

"No, I s'pose not," and Tom felt greatly encouraged by Marjorie's kind
criticism.

"Next," said King, "is our Puzzle Department. It's sort of queer, but
it's Sandow's contribution, and he said to put it in, and he'd explain
about it. So here it is.

* * * * *

"'SANDY PRIZE PUZZLE. Prize, a musical top, donated by the
author. Question: Is the number of sands on the seashore odd or even?
Anybody in this court who can answer this question truthfully will
receive the prize. Signed, SANDOW.'"

* * * * *

"That's nonsense," cried Hester. "How can anybody tell whether we answer
truthfully or not?"

"I can tell," said Sandow, gravely. "Whoever first answers it truthfully
will get the prize."

"But it's ridiculous," said King. "In the first place, how much seashore
do you mean? Only that here at Seacote, or all the Atlantic shore? Or
all the world?"

Dick considered. "I mean all the seashore in all the world," he said, at
last.

"Then that's silly, too," said Tom, "for how far does the seashore go?
Just to the edge of the ocean, or all the way under?"

"All the way under," replied Dick, solemnly.

"Then you really mean all the sand in all the world!"

"Yes; that's it. Of course, all the sand in all the world numbers a
certain number of grains. Now, is that number odd or even?"

"You're crazy, Dick!" said Hester, but Marjorie said, "No, he isn't
crazy; I think there's a principle there somewhere, but I can't work it
out."

"I guess you can't!" said King. "I give it up."

"So do I!" declared Tom, and at last they all gave it up.

"Now you must answer it yourself, Dick," said King.

"Then nobody gets the prize," objected Sandow.

"No, you keep it yourself. Have you got one, anyhow?"

"Yes, a nice musical top Uncle John sent to me. I've never used it much,
it's as good as new. I _wish_ somebody would guess."

Nobody did, and Dick sighed.

"Bet you