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KING PELLINORE’S LITERARY MAGAZINE

looks to me like a creature that is did not understand the words, but they
more interested in resting than in seemed expressive.
anything else. It would tire me to rest When I found it could talk I felt a
so much. It tires me just to sit around new interest in it, for I love to talk; I
and watch the tree. I do wonder what talk, all day, and in my sleep, too, and
it is for; I never see it do anything. I am very interesting, but if I had
They returned the moon last night, another to talk to I could be twice as
and I was SO happy! I think it is very interesting, and would never stop, if
honest of them. It slid down and fell desired.
off again, but I was not distressed; If this reptile is a man, it isn’t an
there is no need to worry when one has IT, is it? That wouldn’t be
that kind of neighbors; they will fetch grammatical, would it? I think it
it back. I wish I could do something would be HE. I think so. In that case
to show my appreciation. I would like one would parse it thus: nominative,
to send them some stars, for we have HE; dative, HIM; possessive, HIS’N.
more than we can use. I mean I, not Well, I will consider it a man and call
we, for I can see that the reptile cares it he until it turns out to be something
nothing for such things. else. This will be handier than having
It has low tastes, and is not kind. so many uncertainties.
When I went there yesterday evening
in the gloaming it had crept down and NEXT WEEK SUNDAY.--All the
was trying to catch the little speckled week I tagged around after him and
fishes that play in the pool, and I had tried to get acquainted. I had to do the
to clod it to make it go up the tree talking, because he was shy, but I
again and let them alone. I wonder if didn’t mind it. He seemed pleased to
THAT is what it is for? Hasn’t it any have me around, and I used the
heart? Hasn’t it any compassion for sociable “we” a good deal, because it
those little creature? Can it be that it seemed to flatter him to be included.
was designed and manufactured for
such ungentle work? It has the look of WEDNESDAY.--We are getting
it. One of the clods took it back of the along very well indeed, now, and
ear, and it used language. It gave me a getting better and better acquainted.
thrill, for it was the first time I had He does not try to avoid me any more,
ever heard speech, except my own. I which is a good sign, and shows that
he likes to have me with him. That
pleases me, and I study to be useful to
him in every way I can, so as to
increase his regard.
During the last day or two I have
taken all the work of naming things
off his hands, and this has been a
great relief to him, for he has no gift
in that line, and is evidently very
grateful. He can’t think of a rational
name to save him, but I do not let him
see that I am aware of his defect.
Whenever a new creature comes along
I name it before he has time to expose
himself by an awkward silence. In
this way I have saved him many
embarrassments. I have no defect like
this. The minute I set eyes on an

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