“Why do you strike me and hold me in?” cried the hoop to the stick.
“Shall I let you go?” asked the stick.
“Do,” said the hoop; “I do not need your guidance.”
“Very well,” said the stick. And she let him go. Down the street rolled
the hoop. Fast and faster he went. He could not stop himself. A turn in
the flags headed him straight toward the street. Out he plunged under the
wheels of a passing wagon, and was crushed to pieces.