lip which read:
"It is not polite to sneeze in company. If you like to sneeze, and are
going out to an evening party, contrive to do all your sneezing before
you go. If during the evening party you feel a sneeze coming on, rub the
bridge of your nose, or press the middle of your upper lip with your
forefinger, and the desire to sneeze will disappear."

"Nice advice to give a Whale," sneered the monster. "Where is my upper
lip I'd like to know, or my forefinger for that matter? If I don't catch
the right answer this time I'll hit that bureau with my tail and knock
it all to pieces."

The Whale made one more effort. This time the slip he took out read, "If
your teeth ache go to the dentist and have them pulled."

"That's a little nearer right," said the Merboy.

"I don't see how," retorted the Whale. "I haven't a toothache. I have a
backache. Shall I go and get my back pulled?"

"No," said the Goldfish, "but perhaps you could get the harpoon pulled."

The Whale's face wreathed with smiles.

"That's so," he said, eagerly. "Wonder I didn't think of that before.
It's a good idea. The bureau is some use after all--though if it hadn't
been for you, Merby, I'd never have discovered it."

"Oh, yes you would," said the Merboy. "After you had thought it over a
little while you'd have seen what was meant. Information isn't any good
unless you think about it a little."

"Well, I'm obliged to you just the same," said the Whale, backing off.
"It's pretty hard to think when one has a harpoon in his back. I suppose
you don't know where I can find a dentist, do you?"

"No, I don't," said the Merboy. "I've never had occasion to use one."

"Oh, well, I suppose there are such things, and so I'll set about
finding one. Good-by," said the Whale, and off he started in search of a
dentist.

"He's a very dull creature," said the Merboy, returning to the bureau.
"He never thinks much even when he hasn't a harpoon in his back. Now for
our trouble again. This envelope looks as if it might tell us."

Again was the little fellow doomed to disappointment. All the
information contained in this envelope related to the killing of
potato-bugs, and the best way to keep mosquitos from biting.

"This is the worst failure of a bureau of information I ever saw, or
else I don't know how to manage it," he said. "Suppose you try it,
Jimmieboy. You may have better luck."

Jimmieboy dropped the reins and alighted from the carriage. Walking to
the