NOW let me see. In the last story Puss had taken his Good Gray Horse
away from the fairies, but didn't know what to do with the bicycle which
he had borrowed from the owner of the Willow Tree Inn! "I can't very
well ride it and lead my horse," said Puss to himself, "nor can I very
well ride my horse and lead the bicycle. What shall I do?"
A short distance off stood a small red schoolhouse and just then through
the open door came a merry crowd of children. All of a sudden a little
boy with a piece of plum pudding in one hand and a piece of pie in the
other ran swiftly toward Puss.
Georgy Porgy, pudding and pie,
Kissed the girls and made them cry.
When the boys came out to play
Georgy Porgy ran away
And after him came a number of boys in hot pursuit. "Please help me get
away from these boys!" cried Georgy Porgy.
"What have you done?" asked Puss.
"Oh, I kissed the girls and made them cry," answered Georgy Porgy, "but
it didn't hurt them."
"How do you know?" asked Puss.
"Kisses don't hurt," replied Georgy Porgy.
"But if these boys ever catch me"--looking fearfully over his
shoulder--"they'll give me an awful beating and take away my pie."
"Do you know where the Willow Tree Inn is?" asked Puss, all of a sudden.
"Yes, siree--," answered Georgy.
"Quick!" cried Puss. "Get on this bicycle and take it to the innkeeper.
He lent it to me."
But, oh, dear me! the boys were now close at hand and Georgy Porgy had
only time enough to give Puss the pie and pudding. "Take 'em," he said,
"I sha'n't have time to eat 'em. I can't eat and ride at the same time!"
"Go it!" shouted Puss, and, goodness me! how that bicycle did go!
"Stop! Stop!" yelled the boys.
"Go it!" screamed Puss. "Don't let them catch you!"
And Georgy Porgy didn't! No, siree! Then all of a sudden the recess bell
rang, and of course the boys had to turn back.
"I think I'll be jogging along, too," said Puss to himself. "They might
throw a stone at me for helping Georgy." And he galloped past the
schoolhouse and was soon out of sight.