_IV_
_APRIL_
[Illustration: _Taurus_]
The April house was near a pond;
It was made of reeds and of rushes,
All helter-skelter and out of kelter,
And ringed by gooseberry bushes.
The April Fool on the chimney sat,
In pointed shoes and a pointed hat,
And welcomed the three with a tee-hee-hee--
Fair and funny and fat.
[Illustration: _The April house was near a pond_]
The owner of the house bowed pleasantly as the visitors approached.
"I'm delighted that you happened to come on the first of April," he said.
"But this isn't the first of April," the children began, astonished.
J. M. pinched their elbows. "Don't contradict him," he whispered. "He
really doesn't know any better, you see."
"Have you heard the latest news? [asked the Fool]
Cows, this year, wear button shoes;
Dogs will dress in pantaloons;
So will monkeys, minks, and coons;
Cats go gay in capes and shawls;
Robins carry parasols;
Bossy calves and nanny-goats
Skip in scalloped petticoats;
Molly hares and bunny rabbits
Look their best in jumping-habits;
Babies are to dress in bearskins
(If they can be made to wear skins);
Grown-up folks in straw or leather,
Just whichever suits the weather.
These styles are the latest thing,
Brought from Paris for the Spring,
Neat and natty, trim and cool"--
[Illustration]
"April Fool!" cried Amos. He felt sure that was coming.
But the Fool merely put his hand to his ear. "Did you call me?" he asked
politely.
The children shook with laughter at that, and the April Fool turned to the
Journeying Man. "Your turn," he said.